Because of Ezra’s Witness a Revival Broke Out
May 23, 2019
Commentary
The sorrow and remorse of Ezra made a great impact on the people. His grief was real and public, and many were moved by it. A large group gathered with him at the temple, deeply sorry for the sin of those who had married people who did not follow the LORD. Ezra the priest stood before them and said they had broken God’s Law by marrying foreign women and had increased Israel’s guilt. He called them to confess their sins to the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and to obey Him. The whole assembly agreed and said, “We will do what you say.” Still, they explained that the problem was too big to solve in only one or two days because many people were involved. They proposed that leaders be ap-pointed to meet with those who had foreign wives and deal with the matter carefully and fairly. This response showed a shared desire to honor God above personal comfort.
Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this plan, while the Levites Meshullam and Shabbethai supported it. The priests and elders then issued a proclamation that everyone must come to Jerusalem within three days to make things right with God. Anyone who failed to come would lose his property and be removed from the community. At the gathering, Ezra and the elders examined each case in an orderly way. This careful process lasted almost three months and showed how seriously the people responded to God because of Ezra’s faithful witness, godly leadership, renewed humility, and a shared commitment to walk in obedience before the LORD together, bringing unity, restoration, and spiritual renewal to the nation. Their obedience became a testimony to surrounding nations and strengthened future generations to pursue holiness faithfully.
Application
Faithful obedience can lead others back to God. How does Ezra’s example challenge your walk with God? Where do you need to confess or obey the LORD today? How might your obedience influence those around you? What step to walk faithfully before Him?
Ezra 10:10–17 (NET)
10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have behaved in an unfaithful manner by taking foreign wives! This has contributed to the guilt of Israel. 11 Now give praise to the Lord God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the local residents and from these foreign wives.”
12 All the assembly replied in a loud voice: “We will do just as you have said! 13 However, the people are numerous and it is the rainy season. We are unable to stand here outside. Furthermore, this business cannot be resolved in a day or two, for we have sinned greatly in this matter. 14 Let our leaders take steps on behalf of all the assembly. Let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at an appointed time, and with them the elders of each town and its judges, until the hot anger of our God is turned away from us in this matter.”
15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah were against this, assisted by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite. 16 So the exiles proceeded accordingly. Ezra the priest separated out by name men who were leaders in their family groups. They sat down to consider this matter on the first day of the tenth month, 17 and on the first day of the first month they finished considering all the men who had married foreign wives.
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