Ezra 9:1-4
THE EVIL OF INTERMARRIAGES EXPOSED... [ Continue Reading ]
THE EVIL OF INTERMARRIAGES EXPOSED... [ Continue Reading ]
Now, when these things were done, namely, the delivery of the treasures and the money, the bringing of the sacrifices, and the paying of respects to the official representatives of the Persian king in the satrapy of which Judea was a part, THE PRINCES, certain chief men among the people, CAME TO ME,... [ Continue Reading ]
For they, the Jews who had previously returned from Babylonia, HAVE TAKEN OF THEIR DAUGHTERS FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR SONS, SO THAT THE HOLY SEED, the children of Israel as a peculiar people, as a nation CONSECRATED TO JEHOVAH, HAVE MINGLED THEMSELVES WITH THE PEOPLE OF THOSE LANDS; YEA, THE HAN... [ Continue Reading ]
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, both the inner dress and the outer cover, AND PLUCKED OFF THE HAIR OF MY HEAD AND OF MY BEARD, all signs of most overpowering grief and righteous anger, AND SAT DOWN ASTONIED, staring dully into nothingness, as one helpless in angry displ... [ Continue Reading ]
Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, those impressed with the terror of Jehovah's possible wrath, BECAUSE OF THE TRANSGRESSION OF THOSE THAT HAD BEEN CARRIED AWAY, of those living in captivity, of the people who had returned with the first company of... [ Continue Reading ]
And at the evening sacrifice, about the middle of the afternoon, I AROSE UP FROM MY HEAVINESS, from the stupor which had benumbed him; and HAVING RENT MY GARMENT AND MY MANTLE, once more indicating his anger, sorrow, and grief, I FELL UPON MY KNEES AND SPREAD OUT MY HANDS UNTO THE LORD, MY GOD, in a... [ Continue Reading ]
Ezra's Confession of the People's Sin... [ Continue Reading ]
and said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush, a very emphatic expression of his repentant sorrow for his people, TO LIFT UP MY FACE TO THEE, MY GOD; FOR OUR INIQUITIES ARE INCREASED OVER OUR HEAD, AND OUR TRESPASS IS GROWN UP UNTO THE HEAVENS, their great abundance being like a flood which threatened... [ Continue Reading ]
Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day, as the history of both Israel and Judah under the kingdom had shown; AND FOR OUR INIQUITIES HAVE WE, OUR KINGS, AND OUR PRIESTS BEEN DELIVERED INTO THE HAND OF THE KINGS OF THE LANDS, TO THE SWORD, to be killed outright, T... [ Continue Reading ]
And now for a little space, for almost sixty years, GRACE HATH BEEN SHOWED FROM THE LORD, OUR GOD, TO LEAVE US A REMNANT TO ESCAPE, AND TO GIVE US A NAIL IN HIS HOLY PLACE, the figure being that of a peg on which domestic utensils were hung and the meaning that God had again given them a part and a... [ Continue Reading ]
For we were bondmen, held captive by the enemies; YET OUR GOD HATH NOT FORSAKEN US IN OUR BONDAGE, BUT HATH EXTENDED MERCY UNTO US IN THE SIGHT OF THE KINGS OF PERSIA, TO GIVE US A REVIVING, restoring them once more as a nation and as a congregation of Jehovah, TO SET UP THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD, AND TO... [ Continue Reading ]
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Thy commandments... [ Continue Reading ]
which Thou hast commanded by Thy servants, the prophets, for their mixed marriages involved idolatry, SAYING, THE LAND UNTO WHICH YE GO TO POSSESS IT IS AN UNCLEAN LAND WITH THE FILTHINESS OF THE PEOPLE OF THE LANDS, WITH THEIR ABOMINATIONS, WHICH HAVE FILLED IT FROM ONE END TO ANOTHER WITH THEIR UN... [ Continue Reading ]
Now, therefore, give not your daughters unto their Sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, Ezra here quotes from Moses, Exodus 23:32; Exodus 34:16; Deuteronomy 7:3, NOR SEEK THEIR PEACE OR THEIR WEALTH FOREVER, THAT YE MAY BE STRONG AND EAT THE GOOD OF THE LAND, enjoy all its richest bles... [ Continue Reading ]
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great trespass, the punishment of their exile, SEEING THAT THOU, OUR GOD, HAST PUNISHED US LESS THAN OUR INIQUITIES DESERVE, literally, "hast restrained a part of our sins from below," namely, in this, that His punishment was below th... [ Continue Reading ]
should we again break Thy commandments and Join in affinity with the people of these abominations, by entering into mixed marriages with them? The thought is that the remembrance of the leniency of the Lord in dealing with the people ought certainly to restrain them from transgressing His precept. W... [ Continue Reading ]
O Lord God of Israel, Thou art righteous, a Judge whose holiness would constrain Him to bring punishment upon the congregation if its members would continue in the present transgression; FOR WE REMAIN YET ESCAPED, AS IT IS THIS DAY. BEHOLD, WE ARE BEFORE THEE IN OUR TRESPASSES, FOR WE CANNOT STAND B... [ Continue Reading ]