Ezra is in full confession mode here at the end of chapter 9. He acknowledges that even though they were outlaws god has “brightened our eyes and lightened our burdens”. God has blessed them in spite of themselves. He lists the three things God has had them doing, all of which were very good and definitely a God thing:
- Build the temple
- Restore its ruins
- Construct a defensive wall
Been a pretty darn good run for the people under Ezra’s direction. They have accomplished much even though they were still under the authority of a foreign king. But Ezra makes it plain they may have done some really good stuff, but all the while they have been missing the mark. He says it like this: we have “thrown your commands to the wind”. Not a good thing to have to say to the God of the Universe. God has been blessing the people and they just drifted away from obedience. Things were good, they lost focus and wham – the enemy was there to say – do whatever you want – life is good and God is busy elsewhere. He won’t care. Pay attention to what Ezra says next. He points out three things that God specifically told them not to allow. Sounds a lot like the instruction that Adam and Eve got in the garden as it starts out: “Whatever you do, don’t”……
- Intermarry with those outside your clan
- Cultivate their good opinion
- Make over them and get them to like you
The three things God specifically told them not to do – they did them all. They were heavily intermarried allowing both sons and daughters to marry from all the peoples around them. They were working hard to get those foreigners to have a high opinion on them and to get them to like them so they could make money. The root here – sex and money. The more the world changes the more it stays the same. Satan’s tactics are the same today – he is out to destroy us by getting us to focus on the wrong things. Watch!
Posted by asorensen 
