06.15.2014 Old Testament: Ezra 9.13–14

To read the Bible in a year, read Ezra 9–10 on June 15, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

Ezra 9 records the magnificent prayer of the scribe Ezra, prompted by his deep humility before God as the scribe contemplated the sinfulness of his people the Jews, and of God’s recent mercy toward the Jews. In part of his prayer, Ezra said,

“And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, since You our God have punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and have given us such deliverance as this, should we again break Your commandments, and join in marriage with the people committing these abominations? Would You not be angry with us until You had consumed us, so that there would be no remnant or survivor?” (Ezra 9.13–14). 

It baffled Ezra—that after considering Israel’s evil deeds and great guilt, and after considering how God had punished them less than what their iniquities deserved, even bringing them back from Babylonian captivity—for them to then turn around and connect themselves with the abominable peoples of the land again.

Yet, has not God shown massive mercy toward us? Yes, He has done so endlessly. And what do we do in response? We sin again and again.

Let us think about our lives and God’s great mercy toward us, and live us determine to follow Him without compromise.