Ezra's Honesty

For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.
Ezra 7:10

There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him." So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Ezra 8:21-23

Last night after youth group i read thru ezra ...(still on my quest to finish the bible in one year.) the first 6 chapters of the book of ezra interestly are not about ezra. (who knew?) they are about the jews returning to Judah from captivity by the babylonians. they've returned to rebuild the Temple. they went thru some hardship to finish the Temple, but it was completed before ezra arrived in Jerusalem. and once he arrived some changes were made - some holiness was instructed upon the people.

the last 2 chapters, 9 and 10, tell of the struggle of intermarriage with foreign women. intermarriage with foreign women had been prohibited, because of the women's belief in foreign gods. it's a spiritual reason, not because of race. ezra's heart is broke for the thing that breaks God's heart; ezra's prays this incredible prayer of brokenness. and while he as praying, weeping and laying prostrate before God, the jews gathered around him. they also began to weep. so this guy, shecaniah, says that the people are willing to confess and returning their wives and children to their homelands. can you imagine what that must've been like? these men bowing before their Master, and rising from their brokenness only to face more heartache? that had to have been a very intense moment. the women and chilren were sent back to their countries...

hey Dad,
what's going on? i love Your Word. it moves me to understant more about You. thanks for allowing me to read and hear Your voice. thanks for drawing these israelites back from captivity so they could worship You in Your House. thanks for allowing me to worship You, too. i love the way You've opened up the path for foreign women to come to believe in You also. may You help ed to relax on vacation and enjoy his time with his in-laws. and may this week between You amd me be a vacation together also.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!

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*Ed *Susan *Kathy *Doug