Ezra 10:13

_BUT THE PEOPLE ARE MANY, AND IT IS A TIME OF MUCH RAIN, AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO STAND WITHOUT, NEITHER IS THIS A WORK OF ONE DAY OR TWO: FOR WE ARE MANY THAT HAVE TRANSGRESSED IN THIS THING._ But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain х_ HAA`EET_ (H6256) _ GªSHAAMIYM_ (H1653)] - the season of rains, the rainy season, December (see Robinson's 'Biblical Researches,' 2:, pp. 96-100)....

6-14 There is hope concerning people, when they are convinced, not only that it is good to part with their sins, but that it is necessary; we must do it, or we are undone. So rich is the mercy, and so plenteous the redemption of God, that there is hope for the vilest who hear the gospel, and are willing to accept of free salvation. When sinners mourn for their sins, and tremble at the word of God, there is hope that they will forsake them. To affect others with godly sorrow or love to God, we must ourselves be affected. It was carefully agreed how this affair should be carried on. That which is hastily resolved on seldom proves lasting....

EXPOSITION REPENTANCE OF THE PEOPLE, AND COVENANT SWORN TO, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF SHECHANIAH (Ezra 10:1). While Ezra was uttering his prayer aloud, upon his knees, in front of the temple, where the evening sacrifice was being offered upon the great brazen altar (Ezra 3:2), the people gathered about him, heard what he said, and had their feelings so stirred that numbers of them burst into tears and "wept very sore" (Ezra 10:1). When he had ended, Sheehaniah, the son of Jehiel, took the word, and suggested an

BUT THE PEOPLE ARE MANY,.... Who have been guilty of this evil: AND IT IS A TIME OF MUCH RAIN, AND WE ARE NOT ABLE TO STAND WITHOUT: in the street, because of the rain: NEITHER IS THIS A WORK OF ONE DAY OR TWO; to inquire into this affair, who they are that have taken strange wives, and to persuade or oblige them to put them away: FOR WE ARE MANY THAT HAVE TRANSGRESSED IN THIS THING; in marrying strange wives....

CHAPTER 10 _ 1. The effect of Ezra's prayer on the people (Ezra 10:1)_ 2. Ezra summons an assembly (Ezra 10:5) 3. The gathering, confession and the evil judged (Ezra 10:9) 4. The register of those who had married strange women (Ezra 10:18) Ezra 10:1. Ezra's prayer, confession and humiliation were before the house of the LORD.” The people saw his great sorrow and his tears, they heard his words confessing the nation's sins. It produced a wonderful effect among the people. “There assembled unto him out of Israel a great congregation of me

THE JEWS ASSEMBLE IN JERUSALEM; OFFICERS ARE APPOINTED FROM EACH CITY TO SEE THAT THE FOREIGN WIVES ARE PUT AWAY. Ezra 10:6. Jehohanan: _cf._ Nehemiah 12:13. AND WHEN HE CAME THITHER: read, and he lodged there (_mg.), i.e._ spent the night there. Ezra 10:8. forfeited: devoted, _i.e._ put under a religious ban (see pp. 99, 114, Deuteronomy 2:34 * Joshua 6:17 *). SEPARATED FROM THE CONGREGATION: equivalent to the later put out of the synagogue; _cf._...

A TIME OF MUCH RAIN. the rainy season. TRANSGRESSED. rebelled. Hebrew. _pasha'._ App-44....

The resolution of the general assembly epitomised. A general assent to Ezra's proposal. The time of the year and the magnitude of the task make it necessary to appoint a commission to carry it into execution....

3. The decision is accepted by all, in the assembly. TEXT, EZRA 10:9-15 9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled at Jerusalem within the three days. It was the ninth month on the twentieth of the month, and all the people sat in the open square before the house of God, trembling because of this matter and the heavy rain. 10 Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, You have been unfaithful and have married foreign wives adding to the guilt of Israel. 11 Now, therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives. 12 Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, That's right! As you have said, so it is our duty to do. 13 But there are many people, it is the rainy season, and we are not able to stand

THE FOREIGN WIVES ARE DIVORCED 3. According to the law] see Deuteronomy 24:1, which required a bill of divorcement....