Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …

Biblical Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Teaches The LawNehemiah Builds The Walls

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Ezra gets settled in 8:32-36  Princes approach him re: some of the remnant intermarrying pagans 9:1-2a  The pagans’ “abominations” (idolatry)  Most troubling was the leaders were primarily guilty 9:2b 10:18 Lk 12:48

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  In jeopardy was the “holy race” 9:2  They were intermingled with those who were not in covenant with God  God has always demanded separateness in His people Ex 19:5b-6 Deut 7:6

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Ezra’s reaction 9:3  He tore his garments…he pulled hair from his head & beard…he sat down appalled  Others react, too 9:4  Those who “trembled at the words of God” joined him in his grief

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Ezra’s prayer 9:5-15  He was ashamed, embarrassed v. 6  Israel’s guilt had grown…she had a long history of transgression v. 7  God had “revived the remnant”…given her a “present grace” v. 8

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Ezra’s prayer 9:5-15  Their marriages were a direct violation of the Law of Moses v. 12 Deut 7:1-5  Why these marriages were so troubling… it would lead right back to where they just came from (captivity due to idolatry)  God’s grace was threatened vv

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Ezra’s prayer 9:5-15  Their punishment was less than they deserved v. 13  They were before God in guilt v. 15  They could not stand before God v. 15  Ezra made no excuses…he did not even ask for forgiveness

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  The effectiveness of Ezra’s prayer 10:1  The people also wept bitterly…joined him in displaying grief  An outward sign of remorse, contrition  Their sorrow was godly…would help bring them to repentance 2 Cor 7:9-11

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Shecaniah encourages Ezra 10:2-4  He also admits Israel’s guilt  He recognized the need for a covenant with God re: putting unlawful wives away  He exhorted Ezra to courageously lead… he and the others would follow him

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  Ezra’s actions 10:5-8  He first dwelt with the leaders 9:2 10:18  He made them take an oath to do as he instructed  He ordered all exiles to Jerusalem… whoever didn’t come in 3 days would lose possessions & be excommunicated

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  The exile’s assembly 10:9-12  They sat in the open square, trembling due to this matter & a cold rain [December]  Ezra’s public rebuke vv  “You have added to Israel’s guilt”  “Make confession and do His will”  “Put away your foreign wives”

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  The exile’s assembly 10:9-12  The people’s response to Ezra vv  “You are right! It is as you have said.”  “It is our duty to do so.”  “But, there are many people…it is the rainy season…it cannot be done in 1 or 2 days.”

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  The exile’s assembly 10:9-12  The people’s response to Ezra vv  “Let our leaders appoint times when each one may come for investigation.”  Other factors re: this situation…  There was some opposition v. 15  Emotional…it affected whole families v. 44

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Ezra Deals With Sin Ezra 9-10  The “investigation” 10:16-17  Despite the “difficulties” the exiles complied with Ezra’s orders  The “investigations” on each marriage were completed in 3 months, 10 days

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Repentance = somewhat of a “process”  Very rarely does it occur instantly  Sometimes, it takes time to bring people around through convincing Bible teaching  We’re not dealing with raw materials in a manufacturing process…we’re working with people in emotional situations

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Repentance = somewhat of a “process”  The demands of repentance may even be requiring people to leave life-long relationships v. 44  It will take gentleness & patience in trying to convince some of their need to repent 2 Tim 2:24-26

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Help for elders & local churches  Bringing people to repentance often involves emotional situations requiring some “investigation”  Sometimes, it takes time to sift through details impacting the situation to arrive at the necessary Biblical solution

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah Some Modern-Day Applications…  Help for parents & their children  It is critical to marry someone that meets with God’s approval  Parents must stress to their children the importance of dating & marrying someone who will help them faithfully serve God according to His word Deut 7:4

Lessons From Ezra & Nehemiah …