Ezra 2:1-2 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The restoration of Israel.

This is an important subject. Great portion of Scripture occupied with it. Events of the utmost moment connected with it.

I. AS THE SCATTERING OF ISRAEL WAS GRADUAL , SO MAY HIS GATHERING BE .

1. His tribes became distributed into two kingdoms.

2 . The ten tribes were first carried captive by the Assyrians. This was in two detachments.

3. The Jews were afterwards carried away to Babylon. This was 130 years later, and was also accomplished in two detachments, viz.—

II. THIS RESTORATION BY EZRA WAS NOT THE FULL ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE PROPHECIES .

1 . The ten tribes were not included in it.

2. This restoration did not reunite the divided nation.

3. This restoration was not permanent.

III. THIS RESTORATION WAS A PLEDGE OF THE GREATER EVENT .

1 . It answered great purposes of prophecy.

2. There is a prophecy in accomplished predictions.

3 . The Jews expect their restoration.