Ezra had just had a spiritual victory where all the gifts were properly accounted for and the offerings made, and he was probably ready to start on what he was sent to Jerusalem for when Ezra heard that Israel had fallen into sin once again. What was this huge sin that was brought to the attention of Ezra?

Israel had disobeyed God’s command and had engaged in mixed marriages. It was a grave sin not because of ethnicity but of faith – God had commanded them not to marry pagan wives as He knew that such marriages will turn His people away from following Him to serve other gods.

When Ezra heard this, he was appalled. He was broken-hearted, sorrowful, appalled out of grief and shame for the sin and out of fear of a great and dreadful judgement from the Lord. Many times, we have a tendency to tolerate, to ignore, to justify, or to minimise the sins of the church today. But Ezra was not so. He was so devastated that he tore his clothes and pulled out his own hair.

However, he did not just stay in grief. Instead, he rose up into action where he repented of their sins. Ezra confessed the shame, sin, and guilt on behalf of Israel, identifying himself with them. He confessed God’s favour, grace, and mercy. He recognised the consequences of sin and appealed to the great love and great mercy of God. Ezra knew the painful consequences of sin, rebellion, and unrepentance. He also sees the great mercy of God, and how terribly they are in need of it.

How do we respond to sin today? Are we indifferent to them, tolerate them, justify them, and minimise them? Or do we express sorrow, repent of them, and call out to God to for His love, grace, and mercy?

When there is sin in our lives, we begin to draw away from God. When we are not careful, they begin to look like something acceptable. Just like in Ezra 9, marrying someone of a different faith may look all right on the surface – you can still have a happy marriage, your can still have what society deems a complete family made up of parents and children, but the household will not be a household of faith, and will not be able to bring light to the world as God had intended marriages and families to do so. Likewise, when there are unconfessed sins in our lives, we may continue to live life successfully as the society deems, but we will never enjoy the goodness of an intimate relationship with God.

Today, if you are reminded of what you have not confessed, would you come before God and acknowledged what you have done wrong? And ask God to forgive you, and to help you out of it. He is our loving, gracious, and merciful God, He will forgive you of your sins when you repent of them.

Prayer : Dear God, today I am reminded that/of _________________ _____ (be specific of your sin). Lord, I acknowledge that it had drawn me away from You. Lord, please forgive me for how I had sinned against you. Help me to walk in Your ways, and to live a life pleasing to You. Thank you for your great love and great mercy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.