 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Chapter 10 records the results of Ezra's prayer. As Ezra lay on the ground in front of the Temple weeping and praying, a great assembly of men, women and children gathered. They confessed their sin against God. They agreed to divorce their heathen wives and send them away with their children. They asked Ezra to tell them how to set things straight with the Lord and they would do as he said. Then a proclamation was sent throughout Judah that everyone would appear in Jerusalem within three days. Within three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin were seated in the open space before the Temple and they were trembling with fear because of the nature of their sin.
Ezra, the Priest, arose and addressed them. "You have sinned because you have married heathen women and now we are even more under the condemnation of the Lord than we were before." "Confess your sin before the Lord and do as He commands." A motion was made that all of those wives and their children be "put away". Now these marriages were sinful but they were not void, so a suggestion was made that the Leaders of the clans assign Judges and that trials be held and each case be decided by the Judge. Only a few Levites opposed this action. Upon the decision of the Judge, the men separated themselves from their heathen wives and their families but they were well provided for, under the Law.
The chapter lists the 26 Priests that had married heathen women and the 86 ordinary citizens that had married heathen women.
THUS ENDS THE BOOK OF EZRA
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |