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De 24:13 Job 29:13; 31:20

Verse 2. All the men that willingly offered] Some volunteered their services, which was considered a sacrifice to patriotism at that time, as Jerusalem afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger; hence the people spoke well of them, and no doubt prayed for God's blessing upon them.

Ver. 2. And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem .] Who were not taken by lot, but of their own accord settled at Jerusalem; they praised them for it, and wished them all happiness and prosperity, since they denied themselves of ease and profit for the sake of the public good; and it is this which makes the difference between the list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in ( Chronicles 9:2) etc. and this here, that takes in all that settled there, whether voluntarily or by lot; this only such as were fixed by the lot, and of them only those who were of greatest note and esteem, as Jarchi observes, and so it follows.

--In all ages, men have preferred their own ease and advantage to the public good. Even the professors of religion too commonly seek their own, and not the things of Christ. Few have had such attachment to holy things and holy places, as to renounce pleasure for their sake. Ye surely, our souls should delight to dwell where holy persons an opportunities of spiritual improvement most abound. If we have not thi love to the city of our God, and to every thing that assists ou communion with the Saviour, how shall we be willing to depart hence; to be absent from the body, that we may be present with the Lord? To the carnal-minded, the perfect holiness of the New Jerusalem would be stil harder to bear than the holiness of God's church on earth. Let us see first the favour of God, and his glory; let us study to be patient contented, and useful in our several stations, and wait, with cheerfu hope, for admission into the holy city of God _________________________________________________

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