Ezra 10:3
“So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.”
This is a tough one. I understand it and hope I would comply with it if I were part of this group. I’m curious if they knew they were disobedient when they married outside of their group? If so, then they knew they were sinning.
We run into the concept that sin is rarely a victimless crime. The scripture does comment on how judgment for sins can pass on to the offenders children (Exodus 20:5,6). But there seems to be more passages commenting on how mercy is passed onto a thousand generations (Exodus 34:6,7). God will never turn away a repentant heart.
The sin is specific. Many Israelites intermarried and now many are repenting of their sin. Putting a burden on their displaced wives and children. God will help them. I’m reminded of Ishmael and his mother. When they were put out, God heard them (Genesis 21).
This is a national emergency on different levels. The bigger one was the spiritual part. The second one was the displaced people. We do read that they deal with this issue. We don’t know all the specifics.
The book of Ezra ends with this problem. Here what the people say, ‘Then all the assembly replied with a loud voice, “It is our duty to do exactly as you have said! However, there are many people, it is the rainy season, and we are not able to stand in the open. Nor can the task be done in one or two days, because we have done a great wrong in this matter. Please let our leaders represent all the assembly and have all those in our cities who have married foreign wives come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each city, until the fierce anger of our God on account of this matter is turned away from us.” (Ezra 10:12-14).
This is messy. The bible doesn’t shy away from the sin of it’s people. I know many would have a huge problem with this. I can hear their criticism. I have to admit I don’t like to hear it. Many are way too harsh with the bible. I fear it would turn some off. But I can’t worry about that. I can attempt to answer their grievances. However, many don’t want answers. The cling to these issues as if this is a their reason to not obey God. Unfortunately this won’t work. We are all sinful and in need of forgiveness. Job and his friends spent many chapters complaining about God. The end of the book comes and all are shamed. Job’s friend get a plague sent on them. They are told to go to Job and he would pray for them. He does and they are healed. God showed who’s side He was on. That vindication had to feel good for Job.
Lord, thank You for forgiving our sin. Help us to repent quickly and reconcile. Help us to make amends to those we have wronged.