Intermarriage With Pagans
June 2, 2019
Commentary
After Ezra had been in the land for some time, he was informed by several leaders that many people were involved in serious sin that deeply troubled the entire community and leaders across the nation. It threatened their spiritual health, unity, obedience, hope, and weakened their commitment to God’s covenant. This sin affected not only the people in general but also the priests and Levites, who were meant to be spiritual leaders for the nation (v. 1). This failure of separation involved intermarriage with the Gentile nations living around them (v. 2). In clear disobedience to God’s Word (Deut. 7:1–6), the men of the land had married pagan wives and became closely connected with people who practiced idolatry and wickedness. A similar example is seen in the life of Lot, who chose to live among corrupt people and slowly became influenced by their sinful ways (Gen. 19). Lot even appeared comfortable living in Sodom, despite its well-known evil.
When Ezra heard this news, he was deeply shaken and filled with grief (v. 3). In his sorrow, he tore his clothes and pulled hair from his head and beard as a public sign of mourning. He then sat in silence, overwhelmed by what he had learned. Soon, a group of people gathered around him who shared his concern (v. 4). These were people who “trembled at the words of the God of Israel” and feared the serious judgment God might bring upon His people because of this sin. At the time of the evening sacrifice, Ezra rose from his sorrow. With his clothes torn, he fell to his knees, spread out his hands, and prayed humbly to the Lord seeking mercy, forgiveness, guidance, restoration, obedience, humility, repentance, faith, hope for the future of God’s people and their covenant faithfulness (v. 5).
Application
As I reflect on Ezra’s response, I see how seriously God views sin and obedience. What influences am I allowing into my life right now? Are my choices drawing me closer to God or slowly pulling me away? Do I take time to grieve over sin and pray humbly? Who can I stand with to seek renewal and faithfulness today?
Ezra 9:1–5 (NET)
1 Now when these things had been completed, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the local residents who practice detestable things similar to those of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 Indeed, they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has become intermingled with the local residents. Worse still, the leaders and the officials have been at the forefront of all this unfaithfulness!”
3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and my robe and ripped out some of the hair from my head and beard. Then I sat down, quite devastated. 4 Everyone who held the words of the God of Israel in awe gathered around me because of the unfaithful acts of the people of the exile. Devastated, I continued to sit there until the evening offering.
5 At the time of the evening offering I got up from my self-abasement, with my tunic and robe torn, and then dropped to my knees and spread my hands to the Lord my God.
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