©2003 Pastor Tom Miles

The sin of the people and the revival of Jerusalem!

1-5: Ezra’s task as priest was not just to make sacrifices but he also had to counsel and deal with sins of the people.  And it did not take long after Ezra’s arrival that the leaders of the city brought the failures and sins to his attention.  Some of the things they brought to his attention were the mixing of the common people with the Hittites, Canaanites, Perezzites, Ammonites, Jebusites, Amorites, Egyptians, and Moabites.  And it was not just the common people but also the priests and Levites mixed with them.  The Jews had taken women from these nations as wives.  And Ezra was told that the leaders had been the most visible in doing this sin, which caused the others to follow suit.  Ezra mourned this sin by plucking hairs from his head and tearing his garment.  And than he sat down very appalled at what he had learned.  And when the others saw his humble expression of brokenness over the sins of the people they assembled with him, those that trembled at the words of God.  And they waited.  Ezra knew exactly how to be patient before God when wanting an answer.  His feeling of appall continued until the evening sacrifice at which time he arose, than spread out his hands, fell to his knees and prayed to the Lord, his God!

6-15: The prayer of Ezra is recorded in these next verses.  This is a truly personal prayer of confession.  Ezra does not pray as if he is free from wrong, instead he prays to God as if he is just as guilty as those having committed the sins.  He confesses the sin of everyone just as if he were confessing his own sin.  He knew that it was Israel that had sinned and he, Ezra, was a part of Israel.  As a priest of God he ate the sin offering, which means that he must also feel and bear up the sins of Israel.  This is just what Jesus did for us.  He took the burden, the sin of the whole world and bore it on the cross of Calvary just for us 1 Peter 2:24).  “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to thee.”  The sins of the people was out of control and Ezra confesses it all the way back to the days of their fathers.  This is the same type of guilt that led to their captivity and brought down the temple of God in Jerusalem years ago.  And now, for a just a little while the grace of the Lord our God is shown unto us an escaped remnant.  Ezra thanks God for even the smallest kindness given and considers any kindness of God a great kindness.  Ezra says they are slaves and even though in bondage God still rested His hand of love upon them.  Giving them favor with the kings of Persia so the temple in Jerusalem could be repaired and the walls also.  No matter how dismal things look God will repair the damages if we will let Him.  But Ezra says, we have disgraced You, we have turned from Your commandment, which was a warning against idolatry and they also gave their daughters in marriage to their sons even knowing they shouldn't.

Ezra continues to remind them in his prayer that God had warned of this type of thing.  And this warning is for us today also.  We as Believers should not marry unbelievers.  We are to bring the Gospel of Christ to them but not bring ourselves down to their disbelieve by coupling ourselves with them simply because it feels good and right.  If they are not Believers we should not be joining in union with them if we are a Believer.  God had punished them for their disobedience and for the guilt of Israel and this punishment was in hopes of bringing them back into fellowship with HIM.  Ezra says, having seen such wonderful kindness, I ask you, should we break God’s commandments again and continue to join in marriage with the people committing these great evils?  And he says to God, I will understand Your anger towards us for these abominations of ours and if you consume us in anger leaving no remnant I will understand.  It is also to be noticed in all this prayer Ezra never asks God to forgive the people, but he simply brings forth the sin and guilt of the people leaving it up to God to do to them as He sees fit.

Father, I am thankful today that I can come before You and confess my sins and guilt knowing that in the name of Jesus I can be forgiven and cleansed; made pure and given right-standing with You through Christ Jesus!

Where Jesus is Lord!
Living Vine Ministries
Pastor Thomas Miles
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