Conviction and Confession

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Study

Ezra-Nehemiah

7

Conviction and Confession Introduction The events described in Ezra 9 & 10 take place some four months after Ezra’s arrival in the land (compare Ezra 10vs9 and 7vs8). During this time the Law had been read and explained, the people had, formally at least, confessed their sins and undertaken to live in accordance with what the Law required (see Nehemiah 8vs1-9vs38) and Ezra had an opportunity to assess the state of the nation. There is a hint in Ezra 10vs3 that he was well aware of the problems of remarriage and religious compromise, but in typical fashion he waited until the leaders themselves came to admit the sins of the people. In the light of this admission of guilt, Ezra leads the way with a prayer of personal and private confession (Ezra 9vs6-15). He is joined in this first by those Israelites who ‘trembled at the words of the God of Israel’ (Ezra 9vs4) and then by a large crowd who gathered despite the inclement weather (Ezra 10vs1&13). The book ends with a description of the action taken to put matters right, every case being carefully evaluated (Ezra 10vs11-17), and a list of those guilty of intermarriage – a list which stands in sad contrast to the list of hopeful returnees given in chapter 2. At the end of this study you should be able to answer the following key question:  What is the correct response when we become aware of sin in our lives or among God’s people? Read Ezra 9vs1-10vs44

Observe: 1. The initative taken by the leaders and the admission of guilt 2. The language used by the leaders to describe their sin 3. Ezra’s enactment of formal mourning rites in response to the words of the leaders and his horror at the unfaithfulness of the people 4. The description of those who joined Ezra in his mourning about sin 5. The content of Ezra’s prayer – especially the emphasis on God’s grace despite the guilt of the people 6. The response of the people to Ezra’s public prayer of confession 7. The determination of the majority of the Israelites to put matters right

?Think: 1. How do the Israelite leaders describe the sin of the people? How does this description differ from Ezra’s words in his prayer ?What if anything is the significance of this difference?

2. What was the real problem regarding the Israelites’ conduct?

3. How does Ezra respond to the sin of the people? What does this teach us about God’s view of sin?

4. What were the key things that Ezra said to God in his confession?

5. What did the Israelites do when made aware of their sin? Was this true of all of them?

! Understand / Apply 1. What answer can you give to our key question?