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Thursday 7 July 2011

Remorse Expanded Ezra 9:10-11

Ezra is overwhelmed by three things
(i) the goodness of God that has permitted him and others to return from captivity.
(ii) the favourable actions of the Persian kings who have allowed the nation to be restored when such a task was considered to be impossible, and
(iii) how the ingratitude of some of those who have disobeyed so flagrantly by having wives and children who can lead the entire nation back into idolatary. Ezra is well aware that the cycle of punishment and exile can begin again.
 Ezra considers the goodness of God to them and concludes that of a truth, they have forsaken God's commandments. The commands for Israel to avoid spiritual compromise began with Moses. The same message has been repeated through the centuries  (Ex.23:32-33; Deut. 7:1-3; 12:1-4; Judges 2:1).
It is absurd to worship a god that is not God. Absurdity is compounded when such a practise is used to justify immoral acts that accompany such a practice. The subsequent loss of decency and respect will eventually lead to the destruction of whatever nation is involved.
We recall that these kind of warnings are ultimately prompted by the motive of love. The warnings may be from God or from parents, for both have concerns about their children. Ezra jusitfies God and concludes that God actually warns them, it is they who refuse to heed the warnings. God still
warns His peoople today from going astray. Endeavour to heed his warnings so as to avoid incurring His wrath.\

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