THE celebrated Ezra was a Jewish scribe and priest, who, about the year b. c. 458, led the second expedition of Jews back from the Babylonian exile into Palestine. . . .
Ezra was distinguished by an ardent love for the word of God. "He had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." He was faithful in instruction, and delighted "to teach the laws of his God to such as knew them not." He is a conspicuous example of a man who devoutly believed in Divine providence and who was ever praying for the "good hand of God" to be upon him.
While a man of prayer he was also thoroughly practical in attending to the affairs of life. . . . He was willing to endure any privations or make any sacrifices to advance his national religion and secure the best interests of his people, whom he so ardently loved. . . .
