Ezra 9:1 - Meaning and Application

Ezra was likely glad, as Barnabas was when he came to Jerusalem and saw God’s grace among the believers there, and then urged them all to stay faithful to the Lord with firm purpose of heart (Acts 11:23). At first, he saw nothing wrong, for even the most careful leaders can miss hidden sins. But then his joy was darkened by news that many of the people, and even some of the leaders, had married women from the surrounding heathen nations and joined themselves to strangers.

Observe what this sin was. They mixed with the people of those lands (Ezra 9:2), associating with them in trade and daily life, becoming close friends, and then sealing that closeness through marriage. We should hope they did not worship those nations’ gods, for their exile had at least cured them of idolatry. Yet their behavior still imitated the heathen in marriage without regard to God’s law, and that would gradually lead them back into idolatry.

In this, they broke God’s clear command, which forbade close friendship with the heathen, especially through marriage (Deuteronomy 7:3). They also lowered the special honor God had given them as his chosen people, setting themselves on the same level as the nations God had recently and formerly marked out with special favor. They showed distrust in God’s power to protect and advance them, and instead followed human policy, hoping these alliances would strengthen them and gain them favor with their neighbors. Practical unbelief in God’s complete sufficiency lies behind many weak attempts we make to help ourselves.

They also put themselves, and especially their children, in danger of idolatry. This was the same sin, and came by the same path, that had already brought ruin on their church and nation. So the danger was not only personal, but national and spiritual as well.

The people guilty of this were not only some careless Israelites who did not know better. Many priests and Levites were involved, though it was their duty to teach the law, including this law. Because of their calling, their guilt was greater. For men from Levi to marry within another tribe was already a step down in honor, though they seldom did so except into the royal tribe. But for them to marry heathen women, such as Canaanites and Hittites, showed a shameful disregard for both duty and honor.

Worst of all, the princes and rulers were chiefly involved in this trespass. They should have restrained it or corrected it by their authority, but instead they led the way in it. When rulers fall into sin, they are charged as chief, because their example carries so much weight with others. Many will follow their harmful ways. It is a miserable thing when the leaders of a people corrupt them and lead them astray.

The report was brought to Ezra by the very people best suited to complain, the princes who had kept their integrity and dignity. They could not have spoken against others if they themselves had been guilty of the same thing. They brought it to the one who had the power to deal with it. As a skilled teacher of God’s law, Ezra could reason with them, and as the king’s commissioner, he could command respect and fear. These princes may have tried before to fix the problem and failed, so now they appealed to Ezra, hoping his wisdom, authority, and influence would succeed where theirs had not. Those who cannot reform public evil by themselves may still serve well by reporting it to those who can.

Ezra’s response was deep grief. He tore his clothes, pulled out some of his hair, and sat down stunned (Ezra 9:3). He was overwhelmed, first because God was dishonored. It cut him to the heart that a people bearing God’s name should so openly break his law, show so little benefit from his discipline, and repay his kindness so badly. He was also troubled by the harm they had done to themselves and by the danger of God’s wrath breaking out against them.

We should learn from this that the sins of others ought to make us grieve, especially when they dishonor God and damage people’s souls. Sorrow for sin must be deep sorrow, and Ezra’s grief was like the sorrow for an only son or a firstborn child. The shameful sins of those who profess faith should astonish us. We may rightly be amazed that people would act so unwisely and so against their own good. Upright people are astonished when they see such self-destruction.

Ezra’s grief also affected others. He likely went up to the house of the Lord to humble himself there, since his sorrow was directed toward God and that was the proper place to seek mercy. People soon noticed, and all the devout and serious people nearby gathered to him of their own accord. Nothing suggests they were summoned. Good people tremble at God’s word. They respect the authority of its commands and the seriousness of its warnings, and God looks with favor on such people (Isaiah 66:2).

Those who tremble at God’s word cannot help but tremble at the sins of men, because those sins break God’s law and bring his wrath and curse. The godly zeal of one person against sin may stir many others to the same concern, as Paul says in another matter (2 Corinthians 9:2). Many will follow when they see a good work begun, even if they do not have enough judgment, courage, or resolve to lead it themselves. All godly people should support those who stand and act for God against evil and irreverence, and should do what they can to strengthen their hands.