Ezra prays for those who intermarry pagans

EZRA Chapter 9

Jewish leaders came to Ezra to say that many people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites had not kept themselves separate from other people living in the land. They had taken up with the detestable practices of the pagan cultures. The men of Israel had married women from these pagans and had taken them as wives for their sons. So the holy race became polluted by mixed marriages and some of the officials and leaders were the worst offenders.

Ezra heard all this and torn his clothing and pulled hair from his head and beard and sat down in shock. Then all who trembled at the words of God came and sat with him until the time of the evening sacrifice. Then Ezra stood up and fell back down on his knees and lifted his hands to the Lord and prayed and told God how the people had sinned and their whole history had been one of sinning and how their kings and priests had been at the mercy of the pagan kings and how they had been captured, robbed and disgraced, just as they were this day. But Ezra told everyone that they had been given a brief moment of grace and the Lord had allowed them security in the holy place. He told them that God brightened their eyes and granted them relief from slavery, and in his unfailing love, God did not abandon them. Instead, God caused the kings of Persia to treat them favorably and let them rebuild the Temple.

Now, said Ezra, after all this, once again the people had ignored God's commands by letting their daughters marry the sons of pagans and their sons marry the daughters of pagans. Ezra said the people of Israel promised to avoid these things and in return God would let them enjoy the good produce of the land and leave prosperity to their children forever. But now, they were being punished because of wickedness and great guilt and breaking God's commands by intermarrying with people who do detestable things.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Since the time of the judges, Israelite men had married pagan women and adopted their religious practices. Even king Solomon had been guilty of this, although the practice was forbidden in God's law (Exodus 34:11-16). Opposition to mixed marriage was not racial prejudice because Jews and non-Jews of the area were of the same Semitic background.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Ezra wept and confessed the sins of his people and held out the desire that they would come to their senses. He demonstrated the need for a holy community around the Temple. Just as we today in our time, need a holy community in our local churches. Like Ezra, we know that even when we sin the worst possible way, we can turn in repentance to God. Have you come to your senses yet? I hope you will pray to God for his mercy. He is always with you!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother in law Mary just had a stroke this week. They are being tested by God and need a wealth of prayers. Pray for them now! Pray that they can find a place for Mary that won’t bankrupt the family.
And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer.
Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.
Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.
Update on Marthaline Sargent. She lost her battle with health problems and passed away last Tuesday. Our condolences to her son Patrick and daughter Stacey. Continue to pray for her husband Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.
Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.
Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who will soon undergo chemo for his prostate cancer.
Pray for John’s recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
Pray for Debbie who lost her home in a fire last week.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.