9:1, 2 Since the time of the judges, Israelite men had married pagan women and then adopted their religious practices (Judges 3:5-7). Even Israel’s great king Solomon was guilty of this sin (1 Kings 11:1-8). Although this practice was forbidden in God’s law (Exodus 34:11-16; Deuteronomy 7:1-4), it happened in Ezra’s day and again only a generation after him (Nehemiah 13:23-27). Opposition to mixed marriage was not racial prejudice because Jews and non-Jews of this area were of the same Semitic background. The reasons were strictly spiritual. A person who married a pagan was inclined to adopt that person’s pagan beliefs and practices. If the Israelites were insensitive enough to disobey God in something as important as marriage, they wouldn’t be strong enough to stand firm against their spouses’ idolatry. Until the Israelites finally stopped this practice, idolatry remained a constant problem.
9:2 Some Israelites had married pagan spouses and lost track of God’s purpose for them. The New Testament says that believers should not marry unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Such marriages cannot have unity in the most important issue in life—commitment and obedience to God. Because marriage involves two people becoming one, faith may become an issue, and one spouse may have to compromise beliefs for the sake of unity. Many people discount this problem only to regret it later. Don’t allow emotion or passion to blind you to the importance of marrying someone with whom you can be united spiritually.
9:3-5 Rending (tearing) one’s garments and pulling hair from one’s head or beard were signs of self-abasement or humility. They expressed sorrow for sin.
9:5-15 After learning about the sins of the people, Ezra fell to his knees in prayer. His heartfelt prayer provides a good perspective on sin. He recognized (1) that sin is serious (9:6); (2) that no one sins without affecting others (9:7); (3) that he was not sinless, although he didn’t have a pagan wife (9:10ff); and (4) that God’s love and mercy had spared the nation when they did nothing to deserve it (9:8, 9, 15). It is easy to view sin lightly in a world that sees sin as inconsequential, but we should view sin as seriously as Ezra did.
9:5-15 Ezra confessed the sins of his people. Although he had not sinned in the way his people had, he identified with their sins. With weeping, he expressed shame for sin, fear of the consequences, and desire that the people would come to their senses and repent. His prayer moved the people to tears (10:1). Ezra demonstrated the need for a holy community around the rebuilt Temple. We need a holy community in our local churches, too. Even when we sin in the worst imaginable way, we can turn to God with prayers of repentance.
9:15 Ezra recognized that if God gave the people the justice they deserved, they would not be able to stand before him. Often we cry out for justice when we feel abused and unfairly treated. In those moments, we forget the reality of our own sin and the righteous judgment we deserve. How fortunate we are that God gives us mercy and grace rather than only justice. The next time you ask God for fair treatment, pause to think what would happen if God gave you what you really deserve. Plead instead for his mercy.