Ezra 9:1-15
When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem officials came to him saying, “…’The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, as to their abominations,…” (1b). They had mingled with those who previously occupied the land and their neighbors [those outside of God’s promises] by marriage. Ezra’s response was intense grief: “When I heard about this matter, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled out some of the hair from my head and my beard, and sat down appalled.” (3) Before genuine repentance can be accomplished, we must see the severity of the sin of binding relationships with an ungodly world! In doing this those who feared God’s Word GATHERED to Ezra in his prayer of confession. He does not point fingers, but identifies with their sin. He also confesses this is the very sin that led them into bondage (6-7). His prayer included proclaiming God’s persistent grace for the purpose of restoration. He asks for mercy concluding with this: “LORD God of Israel, You are righteous, for we have been left an escaped remnant, as to this day; we are before You in our guilt, for no one can stand before You because of this.” (15) We must be cautious when dealing with internal obstacles knowing God alone is righteous!