Ezra 10:1-44
10:1 Ezra brought an emphatic prayer to God; he wept and bowed prayerfully. His humiliation was deep, his sorrow was sincere. Ezra had prepared his entire life to lead these people under the will of God; the people's outright rejection of God, whom he loved so much, hurt. A very large assembly of men, women and children joined Ezra in his prayer. Together, they presented a heartfelt apology to God.
10:2-4 A man named Shechaniah spoke to the despairing Ezra and his words encouraged Ezra that there was a course of correction. Those who had disobeyed God were willing to divest themselves of their wives whom God did not approve. They were willing to renew their covenant with God. Shechaniah reminded Ezra that if they dealt with the probably responsibly, according to the commandment of God, there was still hope.
10:5 Spurred into action, Ezra required that the leaders of the priests, the Levites, and all of Israel swore an oath of re-commitment to God's commandments. The people had regressed and disobeyed but with effort toward righteousness, they began to make progress again (entirely due to God's generous forgiveness).
10:6 Still, it was not easy for Ezra to release his sorrow. He fasted bread and water; likely he searched for clarity and for direction from God. It's difficult to be fully committed among people who are not. Ezra was not content for the people of the tribes to continually make and break and make their covenant with God.
10:7-8 Only those who were willing to submit to God's commandments were welcomed. Each person was to gather in Jerusalem; whoever did not attend would lose their property, their portion, their inheritance from God. Similarly God invites us into the courtyard of His kingdom, if we neglect or reject the invite, we also reject our inheritance. We reject that invite by not living righteously.
10:9-11 It was a gathering heavy with rain and the weight of shame and regret. Ezra informed everyone gathered that they must change their lifestyles, repent and separate themselves from corruption. Upheaval of corruption from our own lives requires change, repentance and separation from things (and people) we desired to have that do us harm. It is an arduous process but it is necessary and ultimately beneficial.
10:12-15 The people were willing but acknowledged that it would be a long process of correction. Marriages needed to be nullified. Lifestyles across the land needed to be changed.
10:16-17 Ezra and other leaders began the process case by case.
We now have the benefit of working personally, directly, with our God; He hears our case (soul-to-soul), outlines the process of correction (guides along the way), and hands us magnanimous acquittance once we submit His word and will. We do ourselves a severe disservice when we do not access the tools a personal relationship with God provides. God is willing to help us make righteous adjustments to our lives, take Him up on the offer!
10:18-44 A lengthy list of men who had taken idol-worshiping wives is listed. If they were to recommit to the word and will of God, it was necessary for them to cleanse their lifestyle. We cannot build strong, untainted faith if we do not filter out toxins: toxic relationships, desires, behaviors, thoughts, spoken words.
