Office 970-454-3411

Ezra 9

Good Morning “Tunic Tear-ers.”  Today we are in Ezra 9.  

As we come to terms with how far we have fallen, with the depravity of our nation, and the part we have played in it - falling on our face as Ezra did, is the appropriate response before our Holy God.  

Ezra is not including his prayer here as if to say, “Look at how spiritual I am.”  No, Ezra was a teacher - he’s teaching.  The words of this chapter leap off the pages like a father who says watch me do it, do it with me, now you go and do it.  

Although Gods expectations of us are big, they are not unreasonable.  Consider Ezra’s confession here… we have not done what you said, and did what you said not to.  They were not to intermarry with the corrupt pagans of the lands they were to inhabit… why?  “Don’t be deceived bad company corrupts good morals (intentions).”  1 Corinthians 15:33.  

“Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord’s anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

THATS EXACTLY what happened.  They were corrupted.  Funny thing about Gods Word… it always knows, it’s ALWAYS True.  

Their nationality wasn’t the issue, their pagan beliefs and practices was the reason for the command.  Think of Ruth, Tamar, or Rahab or other Gentile unions - blessed.  God never changes.  Our expectation is the same.  We too should not be unevenly yoked, specifically in marriage; but neither in business, close friendship etc.  The application and outcome is the same.  Beliefs and ideas contrary to The Word of God spread like disease (Galatians 5:9).  Hence, where we find ourselves with the world’s contrary ideas today.  Much of the church has bought in as well.

As The Light has been shined on where we are as a nation, perhaps we ought to tear our tunics and robes, pull hair from our heads and beards, and fall on our faces before Him.  Careful, some of you have more hair to pull than some others of us - ha ha!  

Love you all!  Dig in!