Ezra 10:19

They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.

Study Bible

They pledged to send their wives away
This phrase indicates a solemn commitment made by the men of Israel to rectify their disobedience to God's law. The Hebrew root for "pledged" (שָׁבַע, shava) implies a binding oath or promise, often made before God, signifying the seriousness of their repentance. Historically, this action was necessary to restore the purity of the Israelite community, as intermarriage with foreign women had led to idolatry and a departure from God's commandments. The decision to "send their wives away" was not taken lightly, reflecting a deep desire to return to covenant faithfulness, even at great personal cost.

and for their guilt
The term "guilt" (אָשָׁם, asham) in Hebrew conveys a sense of culpability and the need for atonement. This acknowledgment of guilt is crucial in the process of repentance, as it involves recognizing one's sin and the breach it causes in the relationship with God. In the context of Ezra, the community's guilt stemmed from violating the Mosaic Law by marrying foreign women, which was seen as a direct threat to their identity and mission as God's chosen people. This recognition of guilt was a necessary step towards spiritual renewal and restoration.

they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering
The "ram" (אַיִל, ayil) was a significant sacrificial animal in the Old Testament, often used in guilt offerings to atone for specific sins. The "guilt offering" (אָשָׁם, asham) was a prescribed sacrifice in Levitical law, symbolizing the sinner's repentance and God's provision for forgiveness. By presenting a ram, the Israelites were not only seeking to atone for their transgressions but also demonstrating their reliance on God's mercy and grace. This act of sacrifice underscores the seriousness with which they approached their sin and their commitment to restoring their covenant relationship with God.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezra
A scribe and priest who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in the spiritual and religious reform of the Jewish community.

2. Israelite Men
The men who had married foreign women, which was against the Mosaic Law. They are the ones making the pledge in this verse.

3. Foreign Wives
The non-Israelite women whom the Israelite men had married, leading to the need for repentance and reform.

4. Jerusalem
The central place of worship and the location where these events and reforms were taking place.

5. Guilt Offering
A specific type of sacrifice in the Levitical law meant to atone for certain sins, indicating the seriousness of their transgression.

Teaching Points

Repentance and Obedience
The Israelite men recognized their sin and took concrete steps to rectify it. True repentance involves both acknowledgment of sin and action to correct it.

The Importance of Purity
The command to send away foreign wives was about maintaining spiritual purity and obedience to God's commands. This teaches us the importance of aligning our lives with God's standards.

Sacrificial Atonement
The offering of a ram as a guilt offering underscores the necessity of atonement for sin. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who atones for our sins.

Community Accountability
The community's involvement in this process highlights the role of accountability in spiritual growth and reform.

Covenant Faithfulness
The Israelites' actions were a return to covenant faithfulness, reminding us of the importance of keeping our commitments to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. What steps did the Israelite men take to demonstrate their repentance, and how can we apply similar steps in our own lives when we recognize sin?

2. How does the concept of a guilt offering in the Old Testament relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our relationships, particularly marriage, align with biblical principles?

4. How can the community of believers help hold each other accountable in maintaining spiritual purity and obedience?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision to align your life with God's commands. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 5
Discusses the guilt offering, providing context for its significance and requirements.

Deuteronomy 7
Warns against intermarriage with foreign nations, which is the root issue addressed in Ezra 10.

Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, showing the ongoing struggle to maintain purity and obedience to God's law.

1 Corinthians 7
Offers New Testament guidance on marriage, emphasizing the importance of spiritual unity.