THE UNFAITHFULNESS OF THE EXILES
Keywords
9:14a
Shall we
again break your commands and intermarry with the peoples who commit such
detestable practices?
1.
Appalling news (1-5)
Ezra’s
happiness in arriving in Jerusalem quickly turned to anger and dismay.
Ezra was told that
many Jews, including priests, Levites and leaders, had
compromised and
married people of detestable practices. God had prohibited
such marriages
because the Canaanites would lead the people into idolatry (Dt.
7:1-4). This was not
simply a racial matter. The Jews had broken faith with God.
Their future as God’s
remnant was in great danger. Ezra was so appalled that he
tore his clothes and
sat in self-abasement.
2.
Ezra’s prayer (6-15)
Ezra prayed and
repented on behalf of his people. He included himself as a
sinner. God had
originally sent his people into exile because of their sins. Then
God gave them a
second chance. He gave them a new life to rebuild the temple.
But the people were
throwing their second chance away by disobeying God’s
clear commands. Ezra
recognized God’s grace, that they were not being punished
to the extent that
they deserved. He also recognized that if they did not repent,
God would destroy
them.
Prayer
Lord,
you are righteous and holy. Forgive our unfaithfulness and idolatry.
Cleanse
us from sin and help us to obey your word.
One
Word God
hates compromise
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