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The people had sinned greatly by taking wives from the Canaanites that lived around them. Ezra was so distraught that he wept openly with his face upon the ground. Can you blame him? This very same sin is what caused them to go into captivity in the first place and when they returned to the land they returned to their sin!
The priests, Levites, and all Israel made a covenant with God to put away all of their idolatrous wives and children. What a horrific chain of events! Sin and its consequences are always messy.
Does God issue any commands?
- God did not speak.
Does God make any promises?
- God did not speak.
Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?
- This passage shows just how quickly men return to their sins even after a time of great punishment and repentance. On the other hand, Jesus, who had no sin, never returned again to sin once the punishment was past. He bore our sins on the cross, actually became sin for us, but now He is without sin! (II Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 9:26)
Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?
- The call goes out today for all to "Come!" Those who will not heed the message will forfeit everything.
We need constant reminder because we are surrounded by temptations and distractions every day. Good reflection. :)
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