Because of Ezra’s Witness a Revival Broke Out
October 17, 2021
Commentary
The sorrow and remorse of Ezra made a great impact on the people. So much so that a large group of people joined Ezra at the temple who were really sorry for the sin of those who had intermarried with the heathen. Ezra, the priest, stood up before the people and told them they had broken God’s Law by marrying foreign women, and that they have made the whole nation guilty (v. 10)! He told them to confess their sins to the LORD God of their ancestors and obey him (v. 11). Everyone agreed with him and said we will do what you say (v. 12). However, they said, we can’t settle this matter in a day or two (v. 13). They suggested that their officials meet with those who had foreign wives and take care of this problem (v. 14).
Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah opposed this, and two Levites Meshullam and Shabbethai supported it (v. 15). A proclamation is made by the priests and elders that everyone is to come to Jerusalem within three days to make this matter right with God. The farthest anyone had to travel at that time was 40 miles. The penalty for failing to respond to this decree was that all of this persons possessions would be confiscated and they would be banished from the land. At this meeting a plan is put into effect whereby Ezra and the elders will examine all suspected cases (vv. 16-17). The entire process took almost three months.
Application
I wonder what would happen if church discipline was exercised today with all those involved in sins like these recorded in Ezra’s days? I know that revival will only come as I get serious about my sin.
Ezra 10:10– 17 (NET)
10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, “You have behaved in an unfaithful manner by taking foreign wives! This has contributed to the guilt of Israel. 11 Now give praise to the Lord God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the local residents and from these foreign wives.”
12 All the assembly replied in a loud voice: “We will do just as you have said! 13 However, the people are numerous and it is the rainy season. We are unable to stand here outside. Furthermore, this business cannot be resolved in a day or two, for we have sinned greatly in this matter. 14 Let our leaders take steps on behalf of all the assembly. Let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at an appointed time, and with them the elders of each town and its judges, until the hot anger of our God is turned away from us in this matter.”
15 Only Jonathan son of Asahel and Jahzeiah son of Tikvah were against this, assisted by Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite. 16 So the exiles proceeded accordingly. Ezra the priest separated out by name men who were leaders in their family groups. They sat down to consider this matter on the first day of the tenth month, 17 and on the first day of the first month they finished considering all the men who had married foreign wives.
Illustration: Grandfather Rebukes Saved Grandaughter
A young girl became a Christian in an exciting revival at her church and was baptized the closing Sunday morning. That afternoon she ran through the house singing and dancing. Her sour grandfather rebuked her with these words, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You just joined the church and you’re singing and dancing on the Lord’s Day! Crushed by her grandfather’s attitude, the little girl went out to the barn, climbed up on the corral fence, and observed an old mule standing there with a sad, droopy face and bleary eyes. As she reached over and patted the mule sympathetically, she said, “Don’t cry, ole mule. I guess you’ve got the same kind of religion that Grandpa has!” (Bart Leger, Sermon Central)