Ezra 9 | The Godly Reaction to Sin

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In today’s daily devotional on Ezra 9, we explore the final leadership principle from the Book of Ezra: “operate in obedience.” Ezra confronts the disobedience of the Israelites, who had intermarried with pagan nations, violating God’s commands. His response to their sin is profound—he is appalled, prays, and intercedes for the people, demonstrating how leaders must confront disobedience with humility and a commitment to obedience. As we study Ezra’s reaction, we are challenged to examine our own lives: Are we obedient to God’s Word, or do we compromise? Ezra’s prayer reminds us that God’s mercy is great, but so is His expectation of obedience. To understand the work that God blesses, read the daily devotional on Ezra 8.

Ezra 9  Commentary by Allen J. Huth

Today, we are in the second to the last chapter of the Book of Ezra, chapter 9. The last leadership principle, operate in obedience, is in this chapter. Do you compromise God’s instructions, or do you do your best to obey? Are you an obedient leader? Please read or listen to Ezra 9.

What Is Ezra Chapter 9 About?

In 1995, I wrote, “Jews compromise with heathens, intermarry, against God’s commands. The leaders, princes and rulers, have been foremost in this unfaithfulness. Lord, I do pray for leadership in my own life. I need a leader, a boss, I can respect. Ezra interceded for those who were unfaithful.”

Why Did Ezra Fast and Pray?

In 2009, I read Ezra 9 and 10 together. On Ezra 9, I wrote, “Unequally yoked. Intermarriage with pagan wives compromised the holy race and led many into idol worship. It was also disobedient to God’s laws. It had been a practice of Israel through many generations, but Ezra took a stand against it.”

In 2015, I also read Ezra 9 and 10 together and wrote, “Sinful behavior enters into a people and becomes so intertwined it is hard to reverse it. Intermarriage is a tough example. So is abortion or rampant divorce today. In Ezra’s day, people had to separate from wives and children to end the reproach on Israel. Not an easy remedy. In our day, the remedy would be just as extreme. They were willing. Are we?”

Ezra showed up in Jerusalem and found there was sin in the land. What was his response? He sat appalled. I do not know what sitting appalled looks like, but whatever it looked like, it drew a crowd. “Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice” (v. 4).

What Did the Fasting of Ezra Mean?

Ezra also fasted. And he fell on his knees, spread out his hands, and prayed to the Lord. Is this what we do when we know the sinfulness in our own lives? His prayer, “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens” (v. 6).

Do we take sin too casually today? Ezra did not. His prayer continues, “And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments” (v. 10) and in verse 13, “And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved”. Yes, God punishes us, but less than our sin deserves. Verse 14, “Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us?” Yes, sin angers God. He concludes his prayer, “O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this” (v. 15).Sin broke the heart of Ezra. Does it break our hearts today?

How to Walk in Obedience to God?

Let’s look at the final leadership principle that comes from the Book of Ezra. We have gone through the Book of Ezra using my booklet called Twelve Practical Principles of Leadership According to Ezra. The last principle is here in chapter 9, operate in obedience. From the booklet:

We expect God’s blessings. He expects our obedience, but most of the time we want it our way. The blessings without the obedience. Then we wonder why we don’t experience the favor of God. Ezra provides an example of what our response to disobedience should be. According to Ezra 9:1-4, Ezra was astonished at disobedience. After being astonished, Ezra expected a confession of disobedience and a firm commitment to obedience. Ezra stopped everything until he eradicated the disobedience in the camp.

Are you being disobedient in an area of your life that is stopping God’s blessings? Are you tolerating disobedience in those around you to keep the peace while sacrificing God’s favor? Are you complacent or astonished at disobedience? Do you need to take responsibility for disobedience around you and stop it now?

How Are We Disobedient to God?

Our practical application comes out of what we just read; things we should think about today. Are you being disobedient in an area of your life that is stopping God’s blessings? Are you tolerating disobedience in those around you to keep the peace, while sacrificing God’s favor in your own life? Are you complacent or astonished at disobedience? Is there an area of disobedience in your life right now, something you do over and over that is contrary to the Word of God? If so, stop it today. Take it to the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, from Ezra 9 we understand You get angry, You get upset over disobedience and sin. If there is an area of sinful behavior in our lives right now, Lord, help us stop it. Give us strength to overcome it, in Your name. May we confess it to You today. May we repent, and may You put Your powerful loving arms around us and keep us from continuing in this sinful behavior. Almighty God, we love You. Forgive us. Put us back in the palm of Your hand. For it is in the name of Jesus, we ask it. Amen.

We invite you to watch the “Great News” video on this page and find out more about God’s love for you and how you can receive forgiveness and eternal life – today!

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The Prayer of Salvation

Jesus, I don't know You, and I don't know what Your plan is for me. But thank you for coming to die in my place. I'm sorry for anything I've ever done wrong in my life. I don't understand how You could ever forgive me, but if You really would, I would like to accept your free gift of grace and complete forgiveness. Please come into my life and take control, and help me trust You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

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