Ezr 10:2 | KingComments | STEP | The humiliation of the previous chapter must lead to the removal of evil. That happens in this chapter. Ezra confesses his guilt in public ( ). Thus, it will be known for whom he pleads. Those people come to him weeping bitterly. After the confession there is no prophet, as so often has happened, but there is an answer from God in the hearts of the guilty ( ). The faithfulness of one man is used by the LORD to awaken others, so that they may see their condition. Before the arrival of Ezra, the conscience of all seems to have been numb. Even Jeshua and Zerubbabel do not seem to have cared about the prevailing sin. Possibly family interests played a role in this. In any case, it seems that family interests have not been subordinated to God’s interests. We see that later in this chapter, when Sechanja takes a stand against his father Jehiel, who is one of the transgressors ( ). The work of God’s Spirit and His intervention in the midst of His people are marked by the removal of all those who do not belong, as they do, to the people of God ( ). This can already be seen at the priesthood in Ezra 2. Those who cannot prove it are excluded. It can also be seen at the temple building in Ezra 4. He who does not belong to God’s people is not allowed to help build. Here even women and children who are not of God’s people are to be put away. One must at all costs separate oneself from that which does not belong to Israel. There must be radical action concerning the workings of the flesh and the worldly influences that hinder us spiritually. It is hard to come back from steps of unfaithfulness and sin. Sometimes bitter fruits of sin remain for the rest of our lives. The situation and course of action described here applies under the law. Under grace there is no sending away. If in a marriage of unbelievers one of the two comes to repentance and faith, the unbeliever should not be sent away, but is sanctified by the believer ( ). This only applies if the marriage has been made, while both partners were still unbelievers. It does not apply to the case where a believer marries an unbeliever. Even then the believer should not be sent away, but the believer commits a sin which he or she must confess ( ). Shecaniah acknowledges the authority of the Word when he says: “let it be done according to the law”. Only by giving room to God’s Word will what is a blessing be worked out. Then he addresses the word to Ezra, that he shall do what must be done ( ). These words must have been beneficial to Ezra. It is an answer to his prayer.

‏ Ezra 10:2

Introduction

The humiliation of the previous chapter must lead to the removal of evil. That happens in this chapter.

Confessing the Unfaithfulness

Ezra confesses his guilt in public (Ezra 10:1). Thus, it will be known for whom he pleads. Those people come to him weeping bitterly. After the confession there is no prophet, as so often has happened, but there is an answer from God in the hearts of the guilty (Ezra 10:2). The faithfulness of one man is used by the LORD to awaken others, so that they may see their condition.

Before the arrival of Ezra, the conscience of all seems to have been numb. Even Jeshua and Zerubbabel do not seem to have cared about the prevailing sin. Possibly family interests played a role in this. In any case, it seems that family interests have not been subordinated to God’s interests. We see that later in this chapter, when Sechanja takes a stand against his father Jehiel, who is one of the transgressors (Ezra 10:26).

The work of God’s Spirit and His intervention in the midst of His people are marked by the removal of all those who do not belong, as they do, to the people of God (Ezra 10:3). This can already be seen at the priesthood in Ezra 2. Those who cannot prove it are excluded. It can also be seen at the temple building in Ezra 4. He who does not belong to God’s people is not allowed to help build. Here even women and children who are not of God’s people are to be put away.

One must at all costs separate oneself from that which does not belong to Israel. There must be radical action concerning the workings of the flesh and the worldly influences that hinder us spiritually. It is hard to come back from steps of unfaithfulness and sin. Sometimes bitter fruits of sin remain for the rest of our lives.

The situation and course of action described here applies under the law. Under grace there is no sending away. If in a marriage of unbelievers one of the two comes to repentance and faith, the unbeliever should not be sent away, but is sanctified by the believer (1Cor 7:10-16). This only applies if the marriage has been made, while both partners were still unbelievers. It does not apply to the case where a believer marries an unbeliever. Even then the believer should not be sent away, but the believer commits a sin which he or she must confess (2Cor 6:14).

Shecaniah acknowledges the authority of the Word when he says: “let it be done according to the law”. Only by giving room to God’s Word will what is a blessing be worked out. Then he addresses the word to Ezra, that he shall do what must be done (Ezra 10:4). These words must have been beneficial to Ezra. It is an answer to his prayer.