Ezr 9:13-14 | MHM | STEP | v. 13 : Ezra’s confession is full of shame. He says, O my God! I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face unto thee (Ezra 9:6 ). Sin is a shameful thing, and true repentance includes feeling shame for what we have done. Ezra is not only ashamed for himself, but also for the whole community. He knows that God is still his God, even after their sin, and this gives him hope for forgiveness (2 Corinthians 7:11; Luke 18:13 ).

‏ Ezra 9:13-14

v. 13: Ezra’s confession is full of shame. He says, O my God! I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face unto thee (Ezra 9:6 ^a). Sin is a shameful thing, and true repentance includes feeling shame for what we have done. Ezra is not only ashamed for himself, but also for the whole community. He knows that God is still his God, even after their sin, and this gives him hope for forgiveness (2 Corinthians 7:11; Luke 18:13 ^b).

v. 14: Ezra is also amazed and afraid. He asks, What shall we say after this? (Ezra 9:10 ^c). He does not know what to say to God, because their guilt is so great. True repentance sometimes leaves us speechless before God. The only thing to say is, I have sinned; God be merciful to me a sinner (Hosea 14:2 ^d).