Ezr 10:2-4 | MHM | STEP | v. 2 : In the middle of the crowd, Shechaniah, one of Ezra’s companions from Babylon (Ezra 8:3,5 ), stood up and spoke. He admitted the nation’s guilt, saying, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives . Even though his own family was involved, Shechaniah did not try to excuse the sin. He included himself with the guilty, showing true humility and honesty (Deuteronomy 33:9 ). Shechaniah also encouraged the people not to lose hope. He said, Yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing (Ezra 10:2 ). Even though their sin was serious, it was not too late to change. If they truly repented and took steps to fix the problem, God could forgive them. The Bible says, The valley of Achor is a door of hope (Hosea 2:15 ). When we are troubled by our sin and want to change, there is always hope with God (Ephesians 2:12 ).

‏ Ezra 10:2-4

v. 2: In the middle of the crowd, Shechaniah, one of Ezra’s companions from Babylon (Ezra 8:3,5 ^a), stood up and spoke. He admitted the nation’s guilt, saying, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives . Even though his own family was involved, Shechaniah did not try to excuse the sin. He included himself with the guilty, showing true humility and honesty (Deuteronomy 33:9 ^b).

Shechaniah also encouraged the people not to lose hope. He said, Yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing (Ezra 10:2 ^c). Even though their sin was serious, it was not too late to change. If they truly repented and took steps to fix the problem, God could forgive them. The Bible says, The valley of Achor is a door of hope (Hosea 2:15 ^d). When we are troubled by our sin and want to change, there is always hope with God (Ephesians 2:12 ^e).

v. 3: Shechaniah advised that the people should quickly and completely separate from their foreign wives and the children born to them . True repentance means undoing what was done wrong, as much as possible. He believed that, with wise leadership, the people could do this hard thing. Today, we know that sin must be put away from our lives, even if it is difficult or painful (1 Corinthians 7:12-13 ^f).

v. 4: Shechaniah explained how to make this reformation work. First, Ezra and all the people present should agree together that this must be done. They should act according to the counsel of Ezra, their leader, and with the support of those who tremble at the commandment of our God (Ezra 9:4 ^g). Second, they should show that their actions are based on God’s law, not just their own ideas. Third, while everyone is willing, they should make a solemn promise to do what is right, so they do not forget or give up later. Finally, Ezra should lead the process, since he has the authority from the king to make sure God’s law is followed (Ezra 7:14 ^h). The people should support him and be strong and courageous (Ezra 10:4; Joshua 7:10-11 ⁱ).