Because of Ezra’s Witness a Revival Broke Out

Ezra 10:10–17
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The sorrow and remorse of Ezra made a great impact on the people. So much so that a large group of people joined Ezra at the temple who were really sorry for the sin of those who had intermarried with the heathen. Ezra, the priest, stood up before the people and told them they had broken God’s Law by marrying foreign women, and that they have made the whole nation guilty (v. 10)! He told them to confess their sins to the LORD God of their ancestors and obey him (v. 11). Everyone agreed with him and said we will do what you say (v. 12). However, they said, we can’t settle this matter in a day or two (v. 13). They suggested that their officials meet with those who had foreign wives and take care of this problem (v. 14).

Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and two Levites Meshullam and Shabbethai supported it (v. 15). A proclamation is made by the priests and elders that everyone is to come to Jerusalem within three days to make this matter right with God. The farthest anyone had to travel at that time was 40 miles. The penalty for failing to respond to this decree was that all of this persons possessions would be confiscated and they would be banished from the land. At this meeting a plan is put into effect whereby Ezra and the elders will examine all suspected cases (vv. 16-17). The entire process took almost three months.

Application

I wonder what would happen if church discipline was exercised today with all those involved in sins like these recorded in Ezra’s days? I know that revival will only come as I get serious about my sin.