Ezra arrived in Jerusalem about 80 years after the first group had been sent back after the decree of Cyrus in 538BC. Ezra was horrified by the news that their children and grandchildren had intermarried with the pagan people of the land. What was the big deal? It was a big deal indeed because it virtually guaranteed that the Jews would repeat the sins that had led to their exile in the first place. God had said to them through Moses: “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” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). That people were intermarrying, despite this clear warning from Moses, reflected their priorities. Many people say that they want to live God’s way, but when it comes to making life’s decisions, they put their own desires first. As a pastor I have lost count of the number of young Christians who I have seen drift away from the faith after becoming romantically involved with someone who did not share their beliefs. But sometimes these circumstances serve to test a person’s commitment. We need to see our real priorities manifested and often we only see ourselves clearly when the temptation arises to go the other way. The commitment of the Jews at the time of Ezra had waned terribly and this was manifested in their life decisions. Ezra’s grief helped them to see this about themselves and this led to a great revival.
What are your decisions over finances, relationships, occupations and other things saying about your priorities?
Read Ezra 9
