Ezr 10:12 | KingComments | STEP | Without contradiction or bargaining to get rid of the consequences or soften them, the whole people fully agree with what has been said ( ). There is a willingness to live up to the decision of obedience to God’s Word with all their hearts at all costs. If conscience had been so conscientious a few years earlier, what pain and sorrow would they have spared themselves. Now that the heart is willing to do what is necessary, it is also important to face the actual circumstances. Circumstances appear to be present that stand in the way of an immediate sending away ( ). Also, the transgression is too great to get rid of in one day. God is patient and merciful and takes into account what has been decided in the heart. He knows that the guilty do not seek an excuse, but wish to obey. We must take Ezra’s patience as an example, so that our brothers who have sinned and repented do not lose courage. Evil is too serious to be dealt with in a general way, or lightly and quickly. Each case must be judged independently and thoroughly. The people suggest that the leasers will accompany the sending away and carry it out step by step ( ). They should appoint times when all who have taken foreign women to live with them can come to them. The elders and judges of the city of origin should be present. Unfair treatment should not be given a chance. Any semblance of partiality must be avoided. Everything must be verifiable and recorded so that later claims or objections can be refuted. If they will act in this way, they will ward off the fierce anger of God that lies upon them on account of this matter. In there are four names of men who oppose the exercises of the assembly. Their names are a warning to all. Paul also mentions, in order to warn Timothy against them, some names of opponents of the truth ( ). Satan will always make sure that there is opposition to a work of God, but this must not be admitted.

‏ Ezra 10:12

The People Are Willing to Act

Without contradiction or bargaining to get rid of the consequences or soften them, the whole people fully agree with what has been said (Ezra 10:12). There is a willingness to live up to the decision of obedience to God’s Word with all their hearts at all costs. If conscience had been so conscientious a few years earlier, what pain and sorrow would they have spared themselves.

Now that the heart is willing to do what is necessary, it is also important to face the actual circumstances. Circumstances appear to be present that stand in the way of an immediate sending away (Ezra 10:13). Also, the transgression is too great to get rid of in one day. God is patient and merciful and takes into account what has been decided in the heart. He knows that the guilty do not seek an excuse, but wish to obey.

We must take Ezra’s patience as an example, so that our brothers who have sinned and repented do not lose courage. Evil is too serious to be dealt with in a general way, or lightly and quickly. Each case must be judged independently and thoroughly.

The people suggest that the leasers will accompany the sending away and carry it out step by step (Ezra 10:14). They should appoint times when all who have taken foreign women to live with them can come to them. The elders and judges of the city of origin should be present. Unfair treatment should not be given a chance. Any semblance of partiality must be avoided. Everything must be verifiable and recorded so that later claims or objections can be refuted. If they will act in this way, they will ward off the fierce anger of God that lies upon them on account of this matter.

In Ezra 10:15 there are four names of men who oppose the exercises of the assembly. Their names are a warning to all. Paul also mentions, in order to warn Timothy against them, some names of opponents of the truth (2Tim 2:17 ; 2Tim 4:14). Satan will always make sure that there is opposition to a work of God, but this must not be admitted.