Closer Day By Day

Bible Passage:  Ezra 6-10

Scribe and Priest Ashamed!

In a stunning turn of events, Ezra, the priest and scribe recently returned from Babylon, was seen tearing his garments and robes yesterday.

“He tore his garments and robes, plucked out some of the hair of his head and beard then sat down in great bewilderment.” cited one source.

“He sat there till it was time to make the evening sacrifice. That was when he fell on his knees and spread out his hands to the LORD. He said that he was too ashamed and humiliated to lift up his face to God” quoted another.

Upon further enquiries, it was revealed that the great lament of Ezra was due to the fact that the people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the people of the lands; having taken the daughters and sons of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and the Amorites as wives and husbands.

The priest cum scribe was told that the hand of the leaders and rulers had been foremost in this trespass and so upset was he that he reacted as we had described; by tearing his garments and robes as well as plucking out his hair.

Moved by Ezra’s reaction to realise the magnitude of their transgressions, a great assembly also trembled at the words of God and sat with him.

Ezra, a priest and scribe, is best known for his leading the second return more than 60 years after the temple had been rebuilt. His faith is legendary for he refused a military escort from the king, instead, preferring to fast and ask the LORD for His protection. Also, he had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD and to do it as well as to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

However, another of our sources expressed puzzlement at his prayer concerning this transgression.

“He did not seem to be asking for forgiveness. I don’t remember him asking the LORD to forgive at all!”

When asked, Ezra replied,

“Sometimes, it is really better just to confess and face the enormity of our sin. We just have to remember that we deserve whatever judgement the LORD wishes to mete out. When we confess, do we just expect God to forgive and not punish us?”

The great leader, who felt the sins of the people like his own, is not one to merely pay lip service though. He will be gathering all the people and telling them to put away their pagan wives.

“It is difficult; tedious and heartbreaking, but it must be done. Although it may be like cutting off our own flesh, it is better to do so than to be cut off from the assembly and from the LORD.”

It is estimated that close to 120 men had taken pagan wives, including priests and Levites and that it will take months to settle the matter but not all the men will obey as there is opposition to what Ezra says.

What is his response to this?

“Well, that’s between them and the LORD is it not?”