And now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commandments And nowThis phrase marks a transition, indicating a moment of reflection and urgency. In the Hebrew text, the word "now" (וְעַתָּה, ve'atah) suggests a pivotal point in time, a call to immediate action or contemplation. It is a moment of reckoning, where the past actions are weighed against the present situation. Historically, this reflects the period after the return from Babylonian exile, a time when the Israelites were re-establishing their identity and covenant with God. our God
The possessive "our" signifies a personal and communal relationship with God. In Hebrew, "our God" (אֱלֹהֵינוּ, Eloheinu) emphasizes the covenantal bond between God and His people. This relationship is central to the identity of the Israelites, who see themselves as chosen and set apart. It is a reminder of God's faithfulness and the expectation of reciprocal loyalty from His people. what can we say
This rhetorical question reflects a sense of helplessness and accountability. The phrase suggests that the people are at a loss for words due to their awareness of their transgressions. In the context of ancient Israel, speaking was often associated with making covenants or declarations. Here, the inability to speak signifies a recognition of guilt and the need for repentance. after this?
"After this" refers to the events and actions that have led to the current state of affairs. In the historical context, it points to the intermarriage with foreign nations, which was against the Mosaic Law. This phrase underscores the gravity of the situation, as the people have acted contrary to God's commandments, leading to a crisis of faith and identity. For we have forsaken
The word "forsaken" (עָזַב, azav) in Hebrew conveys a sense of abandonment or neglect. It implies a deliberate turning away from something once held dear. In this context, it highlights the Israelites' failure to uphold the commandments given by God. This forsaking is not just a passive act but an active choice that has serious spiritual and communal consequences. the commandments
The "commandments" (מִצְוֹת, mitzvot) refer to the laws given by God to the Israelites, primarily through Moses. These commandments were meant to guide the moral, spiritual, and social life of the community. In the conservative Christian perspective, the commandments are seen as divine instructions that reflect God's holy and unchanging nature. The failure to keep these commandments is seen as a breach of the covenant and a call to repentance and renewal. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest who led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was deeply concerned about the spiritual state of the people and their adherence to God's laws. 2. The IsraelitesThe people of God who had returned from Babylonian exile. They were struggling with maintaining their distinct identity and obedience to God's commandments. 3. JerusalemThe city where the returned exiles were rebuilding the temple and re-establishing their community according to God's laws. 4. The CommandmentsRefers to the laws given by God to the Israelites, which they had neglected, leading to Ezra's prayer of confession. 5. Intermarriage with Pagan NationsThe specific sin that prompted Ezra's prayer, as the Israelites had intermarried with surrounding nations, contrary to God's commandments. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceEzra 9:10 highlights the necessity of adhering to God's commandments. Disobedience leads to spiritual and communal consequences. The Role of ConfessionEzra's prayer is a model of confession, acknowledging the people's sins and seeking God's mercy. Confession is vital for restoring our relationship with God. Guarding Against CompromiseThe Israelites' intermarriage with pagan nations serves as a warning against compromising our faith and values with worldly influences. Leadership and AccountabilityEzra's leadership demonstrates the importance of holding the community accountable to God's standards and leading by example in repentance. The Call to HolinessAs God's people, we are called to be set apart and live according to His commandments, reflecting His holiness in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific commandments had the Israelites forsaken, and how does this relate to the broader context of their covenant with God? 2. How does Ezra's response to the sin of the people inform our understanding of spiritual leadership and accountability today? 3. In what ways can we guard against compromising our faith in a culture that often contradicts biblical values? 4. How does the practice of confession, as demonstrated by Ezra, play a role in our personal and communal spiritual lives? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that we are living in obedience to God's commandments in our daily lives, and how can we encourage others to do the same? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:3-4This passage warns the Israelites against intermarrying with pagan nations, which is directly related to the sin Ezra is addressing. Nehemiah 13:23-27Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, showing the ongoing struggle of the Israelites to remain faithful to God's commandments. Psalm 119:10This verse emphasizes seeking God with all one's heart and not straying from His commandments, echoing the heart of Ezra's concern. People Ammonites, Amorites, Canaanites, Egyptians, Hittites, Jebusites, Levites, Moabites, PerizzitesPlaces Beyond the River, Jerusalem, Judea, PersiaTopics Commandments, Commands, Disregarded, Forsaken, Kept, Laws, ODictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 9:1-15 8466 reformation Ezra 9:4-15 6624 confession, of sin Ezra 9:10-12 8269 holiness, separation from worldly Library September 23 Morning
Our God hath not forsaken us.--EZRA 9:9. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.--If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. The Lord …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathThe Sad Case of a Relapse into Known and Deliberate Sin, after Solemn Acts Op Dedication to God and Some Progress Made in Religion.
1. Unthought of relapses may happen.--2. And bring the soul into a miserable case.--3. Yet the case is not desperate.--4. The backslider urged immediately to return, by deep humiliation before God for so aggravated an offence.--5. By renewed regards to the divine mercy in Christ.--6. By an open profession of repentance, where the crime hath given public offence.--7. Falls to be reviewed for future caution.--8. The chapter concludes with a prayer for the use of one who hath fallen into gross sins, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Prayer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRAYER. WHAT is prayer? A sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God hath promised. The best prayers have often more groans than words. Alas, how few there be in the world whose heart and mouth in prayer shall go together. Dost thou, when thou askest for the Spirit, or faith, or love to God, to holiness, to saints, to the word, and the like, ask for them with love to them, …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
1. Here it is advised--that afflictions should only be expected.--2. That the righteous hand of God should be acknowledged in them when they come.--3. That they should be borne with patience.--4. That the divine conduct in them should be cordially approved.--5. That thankfulness should be maintained in the midst of trials.--6. That the design of afflictions should be diligently inquired into, and all proper assistance taken in discovering it.--7. That, when it is discovered, it should humbly be complied …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in Such an Engagement in War, and Associate with the Malignant Party.
That It Is Not Lawful For The Well Affected Subjects To Concur In Such An Engagement In War, And Associate With The Malignant Party. Some convinced of the unlawfulness of the public resolutions and proceedings, in reference to the employing of the malignant party, yet do not find such clearness and satisfaction in their own consciences as to forbid the subjects to concur in this war, and associate with the army so constituted. Therefore it is needful to speak something to this point, That it is …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Letter xx. Self-Examination.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves."--2 COR. 13:6. MY DEAR SISTER, In view of the positive injunction of Scripture, above quoted, no argument is necessary to show that self-examination is a duty. But if the word of God had been silent upon the subject, the importance of self-knowledge would have been a sufficient motive for searching into the secret springs of action which influence our conduct. A person ignorant of his own heart, is like a merchant, who knows …
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 9:10 NIVEzra 9:10 NLTEzra 9:10 ESVEzra 9:10 NASBEzra 9:10 KJV
Ezra 9:10 Commentaries
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