September 17th~Confession and Correction

Ezra 9:1-10:44

Nehemiah 1:1-2:20

One of the benefits of reading the Bible chronologically is that we get to see stories intertwined, as they were, in real time. For example, we read accounts from both Ezra and Nehemiah. Typically, because of the way the Bible is set up, we would read these two books separately, having no idea how their stories intersect. However, today we watched two events, one in Jerusalem (with Ezra) and the other in Susa (Nehemiah), and both dealt with the status of God’s people spiritually (Ezra) and physically (Nehemiah); and, both dealt with sin and confession.

Ezra was approached by some of the Jewish leaders with a serious problem. It was discovered that many of the returning exiles, including some of the Levites and priests, had taken wives from the Gentile people of the land. They were following in the footsteps of the Samaritans and, therefore, polluted their bloodlines. Intermarriage was a serious offense and a direct defiance of God’s commands (Deuteronomy 7:2, 3). Through intermarriage, His people would be tempted to worship idols and false gods.

As a priest and spiritual leader of his people, Ezra had to do something to correct this terrible pattern. He began with confession of this sin. He wept and fasted, tore his clothes, ripped out his beard, even sat and wailed at the Temple. He prayed to God for forgiveness and for wisdom concerning what to do. How could God’s people produce a Messiah in their disobedience, with the corruption of their bloodlines? Then, Ezra took action to lead the people to separate from their sin and make things right. He called the guilty men to account, challenged them to repent and do the right thing, which, in turn, led them to annul their marriages to foreign women.

Of course, these divorces had a negative impact on these families, which included children, but

all sin is accompanied with consequences. Though we are not told, I’m sure that the needs of the women and children were met somehow.

Hundreds of miles away in Susa, Nehemiah was made aware of another disgrace. He heard the news of Jerusalem’s crumbling state, that the walls and gates were still lying where they were when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the city decades before. Nehemiah responded similarly to Ezra; he wept and fasted and prayed to God, confessing the sins of the people. Then, he took action to make things right. He arranged to be sent to Jerusalem, with the king’s authority, to rebuild the walls.

Daily Reflection

Two leaders dealing with two problems, both responding similarly, with confession and correction. It is interesting that as the people were recommitting to obedience and righteousness, the walls of the city were being rebuilt. It is a fantastic visual for what takes place in our lives when we repent and separate from our sin.

What’s the connection? How do the broken down walls picture a life with unrepentant sin?

How does the reconstruction of the walls relate to a life of repentance and separation from sin?

What is the status of your walls? Are they broken down because of unrepentant sin? Confess them to God and then take action. Correct what’s wrong by constructing what’s right.

BiAY.org | Day 260 — 105 Days to Go