10 For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel .
11 Now this is the copy of the decree which King Artaxerxes gave to Ezra the priest , the scribe , learned in the words of the commandments of the Lord and His statutes to Israel : 12 "Artaxerxes , king of kings , to Ezra the priest , the scribe of the law of the God of heaven , perfect peace. And now
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 7:10-12
Commentary on Ezra 7:1-10
(Read Ezra 7:1-10)
Ezra went from Babylon to Jerusalem, for the good of his country. The king was kind to him; he granted all his requests, whatever Ezra desired to enable him to serve his country. When he went, many went with him; he obtained favour from his king, by the Divine favour. Every creature is that to us, which God makes it to be. We must see the hand of God in the events that befal us, and acknowledge him with thankfulness.
Commentary on Ezra 7:11-26
(Read Ezra 7:11-26)
The liberality of heathen kings to support the worship of God, reproached the conduct of many kings of Judah, and will rise up in judgment against the covetousness of wealthy professed Christians, who will not promote the cause of God. But the weapons of Christian ministers are not carnal. Faithful preaching, holy lives, fervent prayers, and patient suffering when called to it, are the means to bring men into obedience to Christ.