Reading: Ezra 8-9
Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites (Ezra 9:1).
Ezra had arrived in Jerusalem from Babylon with hope in his heart. He had heard that the former exiles that had returned many years before had accomplished great things for the Lord. The Temple had been rebuilt, and now he and a God-selected group of priests and Levites had arrived to teach and minister to the people. Ezra was filled with godly confidence and a sincere desire to see this once-great nation fully reconcile her relationship with God. Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (Heb. 2:17).
As it turned out, however, their reconnection to God was far from complete. Soon after his arrival, Ezra made a shocking discovery. The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. These people, the faithful remnant of God’s chosen nation, were revisiting a sin that had plagued them since their earliest days. God had made his requirements very clear when He delivered the Law to Moses. Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly (Deut. 7:3). Over the centuries, they had violated this command countless times, and, as a nation, they had suffered the dire consequences of their actions. Knowing that, Ezra could scarcely comprehend why they were committing the same sin again!
This news laid heavily upon the heart of Ezra. Over the last 60 years, the Lord had done amazing things for His people. Even though they were still under the rule of Persia, they were back in their homeland. The Temple was restored, and their future was bright. The fact that they turned so quickly back to past sins overwhelmed the man of God. Even so, Ezra knew what needed to be done. He humbled himself before the Lord and began to cry out to Him. Ezra testified of all the good that God had done for them. He also acknowledged all the wrongs that the people had done. In an act of submission, Ezra looked to the Lord for forgiveness and mercy.
Ezra was following the biblical process of reconciliation. He recognized the holiness of the Lord, admitted his guilt and the people's guilt, and asked for forgiveness. Through these steps, he hoped to restore the righteousness of Israel.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10).
Thought for Today: The number, frequency, and type of sins that man commits are unsurprising to God; we should not let any feeling of humiliation over our sins prevent us from confessing them.
Christ Portrayed: By Ezra, who mourned over the sins of the people of Jerusalem (Ezra 9:5). Twice it is recorded that, when Jesus looked upon Jerusalem, He also mourned for the people (Luke 13:34; 19:41).
Word Studies:8:29 chambers = storerooms; 9:3 mantle = robe; 9:7 confusion of face = shame, confessing to following God but living like the world.
Pray For Staff:Judy McCrary • Government Officials:Sen Mike Lee (UT), Rep. Chris Pappas (NH) Rep Jim Baird (IN)• Country: Paraguay (6,703,860) Southern South America • Major Languages: Spanish, Guarani • Religious Freedom • 89.6% Roman Catholic; 6.2% Protestant; 1.1% Other Christian; 1.1% None; 1.9% Unspecified/ Other (Jehovah's Witness; Jew; Mormon; Muslim; Buddhist; Baha'i; Mennonite; Unification Church; Indigenous Tribal) • Prayer Suggestion: Pray for spiritual prosperity (I Chr. 4:9-10).
Optional Readings: II Corinthians 6.