When these things had been done, the Jewish leaders came to me and said,
“Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. For the men of Israel have married women from these people and have taken them as wives for their sons. So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages. Worse yet, the leaders and officials have led the way in this outrage.”
When I heard this, I tore my cloak and my shirt, pulled hair from my head and beard, and sat down utterly shocked. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel came and sat with me because of this outrage committed by the returned exiles. And I sat there utterly appalled until the time of the evening sacrifice.
Ezra 9:1-4
Let’s take a deep breath. This can come across at first glance as harsh and unreasonable. So let’s back up.
Way back when God rescued His people out of Egypt, He brought them to the Promised Land. Other peoples lived there, too, and because His people were badal – set apart – He warned them not to adopt the practices and worship of the peoples around. Remember, not because He’s mean but for their own good and to show other nations His character. That they would see His worth and be drawn to Him.
Unfortunately, they did not listen. Many of the Israelites married foreign women and added the worship of their foreign gods to the worship of Yahweh. This does not work. It never will.
Our God is the Great I AM. There is no room for worship of any other.
After several generations of disobeying God, we know His people were taken captive by foreign kings, lost their nation and law and Temple, and were exiled away from Jerusalem.
And, as we’ve been studying, God in His hesed – loving kindness and loyalty – orchestrated miracles in bringing that first generation of exiles back to Jerusalem.
Back home.
When Ezra, the scribe, well-versed in the beautiful Law of Moses, finally shows up on the scene, what does he hear?
The people have not kept themselves qodesh – sacred. They have taken up disgusting practices. The Hebrew gives the image of a mortgage. Refusing to be set apart, they have mortgaged themselves with the peoples around. And the leaders are first in this treachery.
Now we can breathe. Ezra is not overreacting.
He is grieving.
By marrying people who do not know Him, God’s people were on the fast track to idolatry.
Now we might need to take a breath for another reason. Suppose you’re a wife like me and you’ve had a week like mine: one where your husband was just as likely to show up as a hero as he was for you to say to him, “I can see why God said your gender needed a helper.”
Hypothetically.
Should we panic? Conclude our men don’t know God? Tear our clothes and pull out our hair?
No. Especially if we know they know God. We should probably give grace. And remember all the ways God has rescued and forgiven us. And keep in mind when we are united in His eyes, we are one flesh. And He takes that marriage relationship very personally.
But Ezra, new on the scene and hearing this idolatry from people just rescued from exile?
He’s going to sit down astonished – stunned, appalled, devastated.
And not only him, but all who chared – tremble – at the words of the God of Israel.
It is times like these I am so grateful for the New Covenant. When Jesus came, He took on the people of God’s failure to accurately represent Him. He represented Him perfectly. Then died for everyone who failed to.
This God-Man not only loved, but walked up to, engaged, and served a Samaritan woman – a woman of mixed race and worship – and declared the gospel to her.
He is the God Who sees all the way down to our hearts and loves us right where we are, no strings attached. Then, He asks us to cooperate with Him as He does not leave us where we are, but makes us more and more qodesh.
Set apart as sacred.
That others may see His worth and be drawn to Him.
*Please know I am talking about marriage where in which no abuse is taking place. If you are being abused, please, please seek help.*
