ACTION IS TAKEN. Ezra 10:9-44 Correction and a changed attitude are essential signs of sorrow for sin and genuine repentance. When sin is dealt with biblically, confession becomes sincere, and forgiveness is guaranteed, enabling us to gratefully receive God's grace and mercy. Without a changed attitude, merely correcting behavior usually fails to truly restore fellowship with God and His people.
In Ezra's situation, the marriages had to be dissolved, and the idol-worshipping women and their children were sent away. The women would not only have led their believing husbands astray from God, but the children and grandchildren would have continued the sinful practices of idolatry and influenced others around them to adopt immoral idol-worship practices.
In the Babylonian Empire, divorced women who returned to their families were given custody of their children and had to remain unmarried until the children grew up. The four Israelite men who refused to obey the elders and judges' decrees had to surrender their property and lost the right to own property in Israel. They were to be expelled from Israel and were not permitted to worship at the temple. There was a clear line of separation.
The standards of marriage revealed in scripture are primarily one man and one woman for life. A believer in Christ should not marry an unbeliever because that is an "unequal yoke." If a person is saved after marriage, they are to remain in the marriage. However, if the unbeliever in the marriage wishes to leave and divorce the believer, the marriage bond is broken. Before God saved us, we were "not a people." After God saved us, we are "now the people of God [1Pe.2:10]." As a result of our current position in Christ, our practical conduct should reflect that of separated people [2Cor.6:16]. God's people have a distinctive designation [Titus 2:14; 2Pe.2:9] as a "peculiar people, zealous of good works" and a "people for His possession." A propitiating atonement [Heb. 2:17] has been made, and a promised rest [Heb. 4:9] awaits the people of God. In a state of eternal blessing [Rev.21:3], "they shall be His people."
Shechaniah knew what needed to be done according to God's law, and he also recognized Ezra as a man of "the book," so he was willing to submit to Ezra's leadership even though he had recently come from Babylon. His promised support for Ezra would have been a great encouragement and positively impacted Ezra's resolve. Ezra maintained his position as a supplicant in private just as he did in public. His concern and commitment were not truly affected. When "all the people" are impacted by the actions of some, then everyone needs to be informed, and the corrective measures must be carefully reviewed to ensure there is no doubt about the reason for the action and the expected outcomes.
Although there were just over one hundred intermarriages, many people were aware of the issue, and it needed to be publicly addressed by God's people so that "others may fear." Immorality and idolatry are serious issues both personally and spiritually. This special gathering was called to address the sin and initiate corrective actions. Those who chose not to attend, either out of sympathy for the offenders or as a statement of disagreement, would face even harsher and more lasting punishment.
Ezra clearly emphasized the importance of permanently correcting and forsaking sin, leaving no doubt about the problem or the actions needed to achieve the desired correction and conclusion. Openly confessing guilt and showing a willingness to act demonstrates a genuine commitment to recovery. There was no ambiguity in identifying the sin, nor in the confession of guilt or the steps planned to fix the issue. It was reasonable to request time to evaluate each case and reach a final decision. Those in positions of responsibility understood what was expected and fulfilled their duties.
Sincerity and commitment to do God's will are essential for renewal in fellowship with Him. Separation from "the people of the land" was necessary to resolve the issue. There is a difference between isolation and separation. Isolation shows no testimony of God's grace or His purpose to have a people for His name. Separation means we are "in the world but not of the world." Our presence among nations demonstrates God's interest in having people who live godly lives and are aligned with His will and ways. When that is true, believers can be happy, living without shame or guilt. Social connections do not create spiritual life in unbelievers. Instead, they should want to become like God's people, not us to be like them.
There were four men opposed to the command to remove the idolatrous women and their children. Meshallum was one of them and is named as someone who had married a "strange" woman. He did not want this decision to be carried out, so he stood against the edict and, therefore, against the nation. What happened to him and the other three men is not stated in the account, but if they did not obey the command, they would at least have forfeited their inheritance and been separated and cast away from the "congregation."
After reviewing all the cases over three months, this challenging task was finished. Each person found guilty offered "a ram for their trespass." They had broken God's law, and their confession and forsaking of sin were accepted based on an innocent, sinless substitute being offered in their place. Fully confessing, forsaking, and abandoning failure opens the way for some service for the Lord. God is willing to allow service after restoration. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
Recovery after failure is a blessing. Sin brings serious and tragic consequences, but when sin is addressed and repentance is genuine, order can be restored, and effective service for God can continue. Obedience to the word of God may be costly and painful, but the result is the removal of guilt, peace of mind, the joy of forgiveness, and acceptance by God. The man of the book faced many trials and heartaches, but he was able to maintain his integrity and testimony and bring about change and recovery for others. That principle remains the same today.
The evidence is clear; action is necessary. What should a Christian do when he realizes that the person he is married to is a worshiper of demons? Should he ignore the fact that Satan has come between them? What about the children you love as if they were your life? Can you expect them to follow God when you’ve done wrong yourself? There comes a time when sin must be confronted, and true repentance is necessary. Righteousness demands that you impose the judgment on yourself—that you have done wrong and, instead of being covered, sin has exposed you.
It is time to face the consequences and do what you can about this deep, fundamental barrier that has kept you and others from God. Stop! And for the sake of all concerned, bow to the chastening rod. You made a mistake at the beginning by compromising what you believe. The one you married knew he or she worshiped idols, so you really deceived her into thinking it made no difference— that you each could do your own thing. But what about the children you bring into the world? Will they follow someone who has compromised truth for the sake of personal attraction? Or will they listen more attentively to the parent who is committed to action?
They will follow those who follow the ways of the world, the flesh, and the devil. And they will find the attractions around them so tempting, not realizing the evil that follows those who want to be like the ones they associate with. Because a parent who has done wrong himself is living on unstable ground, with nothing truly to offer a child who is impressionable at a young age. Act now! Do what you can to help ease the damage you have caused.
“O Lord God, the damage done by poor choices seems to escape the attention of many until it is too late. May we Thy children be made aware again of the dangers of unequal yokes of any kind. May our consciences be awakened. May we be willing to do what is necessary to right wrongs that have negative consequences, if it is at all possible. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”