06.15.2015 Old Testament: Ezra 9.15

To read the Bible in a year, read Ezra 9–10 on June 15, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

Upon returning from 70 years of captivity in Babylon, Ezra learned that many of the Jews, including many leaders, were still marrying foreign women, that is, women who worshiped idols. He then presents a beautiful prayer of humility to the God of heaven, and Ezra ended his prayer with these true words of humility,

“O Lord God of Israel, You are righteous, for we are left as a remnant, as it is this day. Here we are before You, in our guilt, though no one can stand before You because of this!” (Ezra 9.15). 

Consider what Ezra confessed at the closing of his prayer:

• God is righteous.
• Israel was a remnant of its former self, which fulfilled prophecy.
• Israel was guilty.
• No one can stand before God because of the guilt of sin.

God worked with such a man, and prospered what he did. However, Ezra did not speak vain words, but he meant everything he said.