Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which [is] in thine hand;
Ver. 14. And of his seven counsellors] Without whom the king did nothing of moment. This king was better affected to his council than his father Xerxes had been, of whom it is storied, that in his expedition against Greece he called his princes together, as if he would have been advised by them, but spoke to them to this purpose: Lest, saith he, I should seem to follow mine own counsel, I have assembled you. And now do you remember, that it becomes you rather to obey than advise. Valerius Maximus, l. 9. c. 5. ext. 2. 2:339
To inquire concerniny Judah] So St Paul sent to inquire what was yet lacking in the faith of the Churches.
According to the law of thy God] Which is not only recta, but regula, the rule and rudder. Those that walked by this rule Ezra was to cherish, and to punish such as did otherwise, being custos utriusque tabulae
Which is in thine hand] Which thou art singularly skilled in, and much exercised about it; that thou mayest both observe it thyself, and also preserve it from other men's violations.