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Ezra 9

Ezra 9 records a moment of deep spiritual crisis for the returning exiles. Upon their return to Jerusalem, Ezra learns that the people of Israel, including their leaders, have been intermarrying with pagan nations. This act, forbidden by the law of Moses, leads Ezra to mourn publicly, and he prays for the nation's sins, acknowledging their failure before God. Ezra’s prayer serves as a model of humility, repentance, and intercession.

Ezra 9:1-2 (NKJV)
1 When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.”

The leaders inform Ezra that the Israelites, including priests and Levites, have intermarried with the surrounding nations, violating the command to remain separate. This mixing with pagan nations goes beyond cultural concerns, as it involves adopting practices and beliefs opposed to God. The leaders themselves are implicated, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue and the depth of the problem. It is not only a failure of the people but also of those in positions of spiritual authority.

Ezra 9:3-4 (NKJV)
3 So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished.
4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.

Ezra's response is one of intense grief. Tearing his clothes and pulling out his hair reflects his deep distress and shock over the people’s sin. This reaction underscores the seriousness of the offense. Others who feared God’s word gathered around Ezra, recognizing the severity of the transgression. Ezra remains in a state of stunned silence until the evening sacrifice, showing his deep mourning over the spiritual condition of the people.

Ezra 9:5-6 (NKJV)
5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.
6 And I said: “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens."

At the time of the evening sacrifice, Ezra breaks his silence and begins to pray. His posture—on his knees with hands spread out—expresses humility and surrender. Ezra confesses the overwhelming nature of Israel’s sin, feeling deep shame and humiliation. He acknowledges that their guilt is so great it seems to reach the heavens, showing the magnitude of their failure before God.

Ezra 9:7-9 (NKJV)
7 Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilty, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation, as it is this day.
8 And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage.
9 For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

Ezra reflects on Israel’s long history of sin and the consequences they have suffered—exile, captivity, and humiliation. However, he also acknowledges God’s grace, recognizing that a remnant has been spared, allowing them to return to their land and rebuild the temple. This period of grace, though temporary, has given them a chance to experience renewal and revival. Despite their past slavery, God has shown mercy through the Persian kings, allowing them to restore their relationship with Him.

Ezra 9:10-12 (NKJV)
10 And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments,
11 which You commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land which you are entering to possess is an unclean land, with the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations which have filled it from one end to another with their impurity.
12 Now therefore, do not give your daughters as wives for their sons, nor take their daughters to your sons; and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your children forever.’

Ezra acknowledges that the people have forsaken God’s commandments, specifically those given to keep them separate from the pagan nations around them. The land they were to inherit was filled with the impurity and abominations of its former inhabitants. God had commanded Israel to remain distinct by not intermarrying with these nations. Failure to follow this instruction jeopardized their strength, inheritance, and future blessings.

Ezra 9:13-14 (NKJV)
13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this,
14 should we again break Your commandments, and join in marriage with the people committing these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant or survivor?

Ezra continues to express his deep concern, recognizing that despite their sins, God had shown mercy by not punishing them as they deserved. He questions how they could return to the same sins that led to their downfall, such as intermarrying with pagan nations. Ezra fears that continuing in such disobedience would provoke God’s wrath to the point of destroying the remnant completely.

Ezra 9:15 (NKJV)
15 O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as it is this day. Here we are before You, in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!”

Ezra concludes his prayer by acknowledging God's righteousness. Despite the nation’s guilt, God has preserved a remnant. Ezra places himself and the people before God, confessing their unworthiness to stand before Him due to their sins. This humble recognition of their guilt and dependence on God’s mercy is a powerful plea for forgiveness and restoration.

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