HIGH AUTHORITY ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SEVENTY WEEKS.
By G. W. A.
In Mr. Benson's commentary on the ninth chapter of Daniel's prophecy, we find the following clear and logical argument for the beginning of the seventy weeks. We do not give the following extract because there is any lack of evidence for the right commencement of this famous period, but because it is good authority, and an unanswerable argument in establishing one of the main pillars of the Advent faith. Also admissions in favor of the truth, from the ranks of its enemies, constitutes the highest kind of evidence. Four edicts of the kings of Persia, in favor of the Jews, mentioned in Scripture, are, 1. That of Cyrus. Ezra i, 1. 2. That of Darius Hystaspes. Ezra. iv, 6; Hag. i, 12. 3. That of Artaxerxes Longimanus, in the seventh year of his reign. Ezra vii; Esdras viii. And 4. That in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes. Neh. ii, 1. The first of these edicts can not be applied to this prophecy, inasmuch as from the first of Cyrus, before Christ 536, to the death of Christ, A. D. 34, are 570 years. It was, however, the basis of liberty to the Jews, for all the indulgences granted them afterward, by the following kings of Persia, were founded on the precedent of this great monarch. So that he might well be considered as fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah: "He shall build my city, he shall let go my captives." Chap. xlv, 13. In consequence of this decree 50,000 Jews returned under Zerubbabel, and partly dispersed themselves in their several tribes, and partly settled at Jerusalem, and began to build both the city and temple. But this was in a very rude and tumultuous manner, and they met with so many hindrances from the Samaritans and others, that the decree was not carried into effect. This, therefore, is not the period we are to reckon from. The second, namely, that of Darius Hystaspes, was made about fourteen years after, preceding the death of Christ 550 years. But neither was this efficacious. Besides, it related to the temple only, as appears from the letter of the Samaritan colony to Cambyses [Ezra iv, 11-16], neither, therefore is this the period. The third decree, which was that of Artaxerxes Longimanus [B. C. 457], recorded at large [Ezra vii, 12-26], was of great solemnity and efficacy, importing no less than the restoration of the Jewish constitution, both civil and ecclesiastical, providing in the first place for the re-establishment of divine worship with becoming order and magnificence, exempting the priesthood from all taxes; then, for the civil government of the people, the institution of tribunals, and the administration of justice according to the law of Moses. This decree answers to all the characters of the prophecy, the restoration of the constitution, the rebuilding of the city, and the chronological periods distinctly specified, and is, no doubt, here chiefly intended. Thus, of the four edicts, the first two are excluded because they were not efficacious, and prolong the term to near six hundred years; and the fourth was only a confirmation of the third. No other commencement of the four hundred and ninety years agrees with the event, than that of the seventh of Artaxerxes; and this system is perspicuous, and free from all difficulties.