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Ezra 10

In Ezra 10, we see the aftermath of the intermarriage crisis in Israel. The people, led by Ezra, recognize their sin of marrying foreign wives, which violated God's covenant. This chapter emphasizes repentance and the steps taken by the Israelites to rectify their disobedience, which included sending away their foreign wives and children. This difficult decision reflects their renewed commitment to follow God's laws and maintain the purity of their community.

Ezra 10:1 (NKJV)
1 Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly.

Ezra's public display of repentance deeply moves the people of Israel. His prayer and confession, accompanied by tears, draw a large crowd. Their bitter weeping reflects their collective guilt and sorrow for breaking God's law through intermarriage. This communal grief sets the stage for the nation's sincere repentance and desire to correct their wrongs.

Ezra 10:2-5 (NKJV)
2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken pagan wives from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope in Israel in spite of this.
3 Now therefore, let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.
4 Arise, for this matter is your responsibility. We also are with you. Be of good courage, and do it.”
5 Then Ezra arose, and made the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear an oath that they would do according to this word. So they swore an oath.

The priest Ezra learns about the intermarriages between Israelite men and foreign women, which raises significant concern about the community's faithfulness to God. Shecaniah, one of the Israelites, acknowledges their sin and proposes that they make a covenant to separate from these foreign wives and their children, indicating a commitment to restoring the community's purity. Ezra agrees to this proposal, and the assembly gathers to take an oath to carry out the separation. This suggests that while God may not have explicitly approved the divorces, the lack of opposition or faith demonstrated by the foreign wives indicated their unwillingness to integrate fully into the Israelite community, ultimately leading the leaders to believe that this difficult decision was necessary to maintain the integrity of the Israelite community and its covenant with God.

Ezra 10:6 (NKJV)
6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came there, he ate no bread and drank no water, for he mourned because of the guilt of those from the captivity.

Ezra continues to mourn privately, fasting as a sign of his deep sorrow over the sin of the people. His refusal to eat or drink reflects the gravity of the situation and his sincere plea for God's mercy and guidance in dealing with the issue of intermarriage.

Ezra 10:7-9 (NKJV)
7 And they issued a proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem to all the descendants of the captivity, that they must gather at Jerusalem,
8 and that whoever would not come within three days, according to the instructions of the leaders and elders, all his property would be confiscated, and he himself would be separated from the assembly of those from the captivity.
9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered at Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth of the month; and all the people sat in the open square of the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of heavy rain.

A proclamation is sent out, summoning all the exiles to Jerusalem under the threat of severe consequences. The urgency and seriousness of the call are emphasized by the confiscation of property and expulsion from the assembly for noncompliance. The people gather in the cold rain, trembling not only because of the weather but also out of fear and guilt for their sin.

Ezra 10:10-12 (NKJV)
10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have transgressed and have taken pagan wives, adding to the guilt of Israel.
11 Now therefore, make confession to the Lord God of your fathers, and do His will; separate yourselves from the peoples of the land, and from the pagan wives.”
12 Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, “Yes! As you have said, so we must do.”

Ezra directly addresses the people's sin, reminding them that by marrying pagan wives, they have increased Israel's guilt. He calls them to confess and take action to separate from these foreign influences. The people respond with conviction, acknowledging the need to follow through on Ezra's counsel and align with God's commandments.

Ezra 10:13-15 (NKJV)
13 But there are many people; it is the season for heavy rain, and we are not able to stand outside. Nor is this the work of one or two days, for there are many of us who have transgressed in this matter.
14 Please, let the leaders of our entire assembly stand, and let all those in our cities who have taken pagan wives come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of their cities, until the fierce wrath of our God is turned away from us in this matter.”
15 Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite gave them support.

The people recognize the practical difficulty of dealing with the issue immediately due to the large number of offenders and the harsh weather. They propose a systematic approach, with each city handling the matter locally under the oversight of their leaders. This careful planning allows for a thorough and fair resolution while avoiding God's wrath. However, there are a few who oppose the plan, showing not everyone is fully on board.

Ezra 10:16-17 (NKJV)
16 Then the descendants of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain heads of the fathers’ households, were set apart by the fathers’ households, each of them by name; and they sat down on the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter.
17 By the first day of the first month they finished questioning all the men who had taken pagan wives.

Ezra and the appointed leaders begin the process of investigating those who had taken foreign wives. This careful examination takes several months, showing that the issue was handled diligently and with thoroughness. The timeline emphasizes the seriousness with which the community approached the matter and their desire to return to obedience.

Ezra 10:18-22 (NKJV)
18 And among the sons of the priests who had taken pagan wives the following were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah.
19 And they gave their promise that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they presented a ram of the flock as their trespass offering.
20 Also of the sons of Immer: Hanani and Zebadiah;
21 of the sons of Harim: Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah;
22 of the sons of Pashhur: Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah.

The list of offenders begins with the priests, showing that even the spiritual leaders were not exempt from the sin of intermarriage. These men offer a ram as a trespass offering, signifying their guilt and their desire for atonement. The priests' participation in this process highlights the importance of leaders setting an example of repentance and obedience.

Ezra 10:23-24 (NKJV)
23 Also of the Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (the same is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer.
24 Also of the singers: Eliashib; and of the gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri.

This list continues with other temple servants, including Levites, singers, and gatekeepers. Their inclusion in the list shows that the sin of intermarriage had permeated all levels of Israelite society. The acknowledgment of guilt and the steps taken for repentance were not limited to the common people but included those who served directly in the house of God.

Ezra 10:25-44 (NKJV)
25 And others of Israel: of the sons of Parosh: Ramiah, Jeziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah;
26 of the sons of Elam: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah;
27 of the sons of Zattu: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza;
28 of the sons of Bebai: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai;
29 of the sons of Bani: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Ramoth;
30 of the sons of Pahath-Moab: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh;
31 of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,
32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah;
33 of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei;
34 of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel,
35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi,
36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib,
37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasau,
38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei,
39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah,
40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai,
41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah,
42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph;
43 of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.
44 All these had taken pagan wives, and some of them had wives by whom they had children.

This extended list of names provides a detailed record of those who had sinned by taking foreign wives. The fact that some had children with these wives adds a layer of complexity to the situation, but the seriousness of the sin required decisive action. The inclusion of these names shows the transparency of the process and the commitment of the people to deal with the issue publicly and thoroughly, no matter how difficult the personal consequences might have been.

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