Ezra 10
Ezra 10
Yesterday, in chapter nine we read about Ezra's call for holiness. The central theme for chapter ten that stands out is repentance. Ezra has called out the sin of intermarriage and explained and called for the people to repent. In chapter ten we see that repentance come to fruition.
Shecaniah calls out the national guilt in verse two, and a spirit of lament and repentance pours out from the people. The people are recognizing their sin for what it is and deciding to turn back to God.
Repentance simply means turning away from sin and back to God. We see the heart for repentance in the people's response to Ezra's call. All the men of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah gathered in three days (v. 9). This is remarkable. The unity in their response shows a clear desire for reconciliation with God. The people also gave up comfort in order to address their sin. Verse nine says they sat outside in the heavy rain. The people then asked Ezra for the time to address the sin. Because so many people were involved in it, they asked Ezra for time to evaluate each case individually.
When the people finally understood the gravity of their sin, they chose to repent. This process of repentance required them to take time, forsake comfort and seek God. Our sin should grieve us in the same way. Our sin separates us from God. The desire to restore our relationship with God should be worth the discomfort and time it takes to repent. The good news is that because Christ, we can know that our sins are forgiven if we are in a relationship with God through Jesus. Is there sin in your life right now that you need to repent of? Take some time today and pray and evaluate your life, asking God for forgiveness and the strength to turn from temptation.
By: Joe Weaver
Yesterday, in chapter nine we read about Ezra's call for holiness. The central theme for chapter ten that stands out is repentance. Ezra has called out the sin of intermarriage and explained and called for the people to repent. In chapter ten we see that repentance come to fruition.
Shecaniah calls out the national guilt in verse two, and a spirit of lament and repentance pours out from the people. The people are recognizing their sin for what it is and deciding to turn back to God.
Repentance simply means turning away from sin and back to God. We see the heart for repentance in the people's response to Ezra's call. All the men of the tribes of Benjamin and Judah gathered in three days (v. 9). This is remarkable. The unity in their response shows a clear desire for reconciliation with God. The people also gave up comfort in order to address their sin. Verse nine says they sat outside in the heavy rain. The people then asked Ezra for the time to address the sin. Because so many people were involved in it, they asked Ezra for time to evaluate each case individually.
When the people finally understood the gravity of their sin, they chose to repent. This process of repentance required them to take time, forsake comfort and seek God. Our sin should grieve us in the same way. Our sin separates us from God. The desire to restore our relationship with God should be worth the discomfort and time it takes to repent. The good news is that because Christ, we can know that our sins are forgiven if we are in a relationship with God through Jesus. Is there sin in your life right now that you need to repent of? Take some time today and pray and evaluate your life, asking God for forgiveness and the strength to turn from temptation.
By: Joe Weaver
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