Chapter 9
v 3-4 Ezra's reaction to hearing about mixed marriages within the Nation--especially since the leaders were most guilty--is severe. The people start to assemble at the thought of God's wrath.
v6 Ezra has taken the shame upon himself, even though he's not directly guilty.
v10 I love how he comes to God here, open-handed, not sure how to proceed. "What shall we say after this?"
Prayer isn't always about words. Maybe it's never about words. It's all about posture. You are God. I'm not. I messed up. I need you.
v15 He humbles himself completely, vulnerable to the decision of God. "For no one can stand before you because of this."
Chapter 10
v3 Their solution is to put away the wives and children.
v9 A three-day assembly. Trembling because of this matter, and the HEAVY RAIN. (haha)
v19 They pledged to put away their waives and offer a ram to cover their guilt. HOW SAD!
v44 Some of them had children.
It's hard to think about these women and children, sent away from their homes. Separated from their providers, fathers. My heart aches. They didn't ask for this. Why punish them? But it wasn't God who caused their pain. It was His people. The men who disobeyed His law, and knowingly put them at risk by including them in their sin. God's long-term plan required that His people be set apart. His law was there to keep this kind of thing from happening. The loving nature of God is still evident here. He doesn't change. And from what I know about Him, and the way He cares for the outcast, I'm confident that He saw these women and children and provided for them, separate from the men who had caused their hardship.
Next time: EZRA, a look back!
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