John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And now, for a little space, grace hath been showed from the Lord our God , etc.] It was but a small time since the Lord first began to show favour to them, so that they soon after began to revolt from him; which argued the strange propensity of their minds to that which is evil, and from which they could not be restrained by the recent goodness of God unto them: to leave us a remnant to escape ; out of captivity, from whence a small number were graciously and safely returned to their own land: and to give us a nail in his holy place ; a fixed settlement in the land of Judea, the holy land the Lord had chosen, and in the temple, the holy place sacred to his worship; or a prince of their own, Zerubbabel, to be the governor of them, under whom they might enjoy settled happiness and prosperity, (see Isaiah 22:23 Zechariah 10:4), that our God may lighten our eyes ; refresh our spirits, cheer our souls, and give us light and gladness, (see 1 Samuel 14:27) and give us a little reviving in our bondage ; for they were still in some degree of bondage, being in subjection, and tributaries to the kings of Persia; but yet being returned to their own land, it was as life from the dead unto them, at least it was giving them a little life, liberty, and joy.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 5-15 - The sacrifice, especially the evening sacrifice, was a type of the blessed Lamb of God, who in the evening of the world, was to take awa sin by the sacrifice of himself. Ezra's address is a peniten confession of sin, the sin of his people. But let this be the comfor of true penitents, that though their sins reach to the heavens, God' mercy is in the heavens. Ezra, speaking of sin, speaks as one muc ashamed. Holy shame is as necessary in true repentance as holy sorrow Ezra speaks as much amazed. The discoveries of guilt cause amazement the more we think of sin, the worse it looks. Say, God be merciful to me sinner. Ezra speaks as one much afraid. There is not a surer of saddler presage of ruin, than turning to sin, after great judgments and great deliverances. Every one in the church of God, has to wonde that he has not wearied out the Lord's patience, and brough destruction upon himself. What then must be the case of the ungodly But though the true penitent has nothing to plead in his own behalf the heavenly Advocate pleads most powerfully for him _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ועתה6258 כמעט4592 רגע7281 היתה1961 תחנה8467 מאת853 יהוה3069 אלהינו430 להשׁאיר7604 לנו פליטה6413 ולתת5414 לנו יתד3489 במקום4725 קדשׁו6944 להאיר215 עינינו5869 אלהינו430 ולתתנו5414 מחיה4241 מעט4592 בעבדתנו׃5659
