Ezra Expressed Sorrow in His Prayer

Topic: Sorrow
Passage: Ezra 9:6–15

April 2, 2022

Commentary

The rest of the chapter contains Ezra’s prayer. It is in its entirety one of confession of sin, with no petition or request of any kind. Although Ezra was not personally guilty of these sins, he identifies himself with his people in his prayer. He acknowledged that all the horrible afflictions which had come upon them as a nation was far less than they deserved (v. 13).

Here is how Ezra prayed for his nation:

  1. He showed sorrow. (v. 3) – He tore his robe. Tearing of the garment speaks of mourning. We need to be very sorrowful for our sins as this is an important part of intercession.
  2. He prayed for hours. (v. 4) – Ezra did not pray a 5 minute prayer. He labored for hours in God’s presence.
  3. He showed humility (v. 5) – He fell on his knees and spread out his hands to the Lord. Intercessors often keep a posture of humility when they come to God’s presence.
  4. He confessed his nations sin. (v. 6) – He said “we have sinned.” Intercessors should identify with the sins of the nation and confess them.
  5. He thanked God for His grace. (vv. 8-9) – He thanked God that the Remnant was allowed to escape, there was repair of God’s house and for the rebuilding of its ruins.

It was because of their sin that they had been sent out captive to Babylon (Modern Iraq) (v. 7), but God had been gracious to return them to their land (vv. 8-10). God had judged His people on earth because of sin so they would turn to Him. (II Chron. 6:24-26).

Application

How long has it been since I have wept over the souls of men? Perhaps one of the reasons I don’t see more answers to my prayers is because I don’t get serious enough about the things I am praying for

Ezra 9:6– 15 (NET)

6 I prayed:

7 From the days of our fathers until this very day our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities we, along with our kings and priests, have been delivered over by the local kings to sword, captivity, plunder, and embarrassment—right up to the present time.

8 “But now briefly we have received mercy from the Lord our God, in that he has left us a remnant and has given us a secure position in his holy place. Thus our God has enlightened our eyes and has given us a little relief in our time of servitude. 9 Although we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our servitude. He has extended kindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, in that he has revived us to restore the temple of our God and to raise up its ruins and to give us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem.

10 “And now what are we able to say after this, our God? For we have forsaken your commandments 11 which you commanded us through your servants the prophets with these words: ‘The land that you are entering to possess is a land defiled by the impurities of the local residents! With their abominations they have filled it from one end to the other with their filthiness. 12 Therefore do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons, and do not take their daughters in marriage for your sons. Do not ever seek their peace or welfare, so that you may be strong and may eat the good of the land and may leave it as an inheritance for your children forever.’

13 “Everything that has happened to us has come about because of our wicked actions and our great guilt. Even so, our God, you have exercised restraint toward our iniquities and have given us a remnant such as this. 14 Shall we once again break your commandments and intermarry with these abominable peoples? Would you not be so angered by us that you would wipe us out, with no survivor or remnant? 15 O Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we are left as a remnant this day. Indeed, we stand before you in our guilt. However, because of this guilt no one can really stand before you.”