Ezra
chapter 9 shows us the heart of a godly leader. Ezra returned to
Jerusalem to find the citizens had sinned against God. His reaction
is one of great compassion, but he did not minimize the seriousness
of the transgression.
Ezra is told, “The
people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not
kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their
detestable practices“.
He was given the specifics, “They
have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their
sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them“.
Unfortunately this verse has been misused to try to justify racial
discrimination. As we read, he is exclusively concerned about the
spiritual contamination. The surrounding nations were pagan and from
the beginning God warned that their hearts would be turned away from
worship of the one true God. This is confirmed in the rest of the
report to Ezra, “And
the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness“.
Marriage is a very serious union that God designed to be permanent.
I believe this is one of the applications the apostle Paul was
referring to in 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do
not be yoked together with unbelievers“.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 says it perfectly, in a marriage where both people
honor God, the Lord Himself supplies unity “And
a threefold
cord is not quickly broken“.
Listen
to the reaction of Ezra, “When
I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and
beard and sat down appalled“.
These are the action of one who is mourning the loss of a loved one.
No doubt, Ezra realized in the past, the nation had been judged for
this same offense. He continues, “Then
everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered
around me because of this unfaithfulness of the exiles. And I sat
there appalled until the evening sacrifice“.
I think it is quite clear that Ezra found the behavior abhorrent
because it violated God’s standard. He did not excuse it, nor did
he condemn the people. Instead Ezra prayed for forgiveness for
himself and the people. “O
my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my
God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has
reached to the heavens“.
He prayed WITH them, not AT them.
Even
in his prayer of repentance, he reminded the people of God’s mercy.
“God
has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the
sight of the kings of Persia…He has given us a wall of protection
in Judah“.
Please note Ezra asked for forgiveness for the specific
transgression, “For
we have disregarded the commands… you gave“.
Ezra quoted the command originally given to Moses explaining the
pagan practices were more than just different, they were an
abomination including child sacrifice. “Therefore,
do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their
daughters for your sons. Do not seek a treaty of friendship with them
at any time“.
Ezra ends his prayer with a complete reliance on the mercy of God.
“O
Lord, God of Israel, you are righteous! Here we are before you in
our guilt“.
And this is the lesson for us; on our own, we are not holy in any
way. We are simply the recipients of the grace of God. Will you ask
God to forgive you? “May
the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of
unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one
heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ”
(Romans 15:5-6).