Ezra 9:1

Ezra 9:1 says, Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.  Even after restoration of the Temple was completed, the people of Israel were still not following God, but were following the abominations of other nations.  Matthew Henry points out that to Ezra, everything looked good, but he was brought news that underneath things were not in accordance with God’s word.  We may have beautiful church buildings today, but if we do not follow the teachings and commandments of God, underneath the beauty is nothing but corrupt worship.  How things look on the outside is not what is important, but it is what is in the heart that really matters.  

Verse two adds, For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.  Those reporting to Ezra said that the people of Israel, even the priests and Levites, had been marrying their sons and daughters to those who were not a part of Israel, though had been told not to do this.  Of course, we don’t marry our sons and daughters to others, as they choose their own spouse, but as followers of Christ, we need to encourage them to marry a Christian.  Yes, a Christian can lead a non-Christian spouse to salvation, but too often it is the non-Christian who will lead the Christian away from obedience to God.  

Verse three continues, And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.  When Ezra heard this, he went into deep mourning, tearing his garment and mantle, plucking the hair off his head and out of his beard, and sitting down astonished.   I am not sure many Cristians today would be willing to go that far if they see something in the church that astonishes them by how wrong it may be.  I believe that too often we allow the things of the world to creep into the church, and when we see this, we are neither astonished nor do we repent.  

Verse four concludes, Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied until the evening sacrifice.  Those who trembled at the words of God because of the transgressions of those who had been carried away gathered with Ezra, and he sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.  If we are aware of sinful practices being allowed to go on in the church, we must gather together as believers and ask for God’s forgiveness in the matter and turn away from it and to God and His word.  Of course, the first thing that we must do is come to Jesus Christ and accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord.