Those Guilty of Intermarriage
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In the context of the Old Testament, intermarriage refers to the union between Israelites and people from surrounding nations, which was a significant concern due to the potential for leading the Israelites away from their covenantal relationship with God. The issue of intermarriage is addressed in several key passages, particularly in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, where the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem brought this issue to the forefront.

Biblical Context and Prohibitions

The prohibition against intermarriage is rooted in the Mosaic Law, where God commanded the Israelites not to marry individuals from the surrounding nations. This command is found in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 : "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you."

The primary concern was religious purity and the prevention of idolatry. The Israelites were chosen to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes, and intermarriage with pagan nations posed a threat to their distinct identity and faithfulness to Yahweh.

Ezra's Reforms

The issue of intermarriage became particularly acute during the time of Ezra, a priest and scribe who led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. Upon his arrival, Ezra discovered that many of the Israelites, including priests and Levites, had married foreign women. This is recorded in Ezra 9:1-2 : "The leaders approached me and said, 'The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the peoples of the lands with their abominations... Indeed, the leaders and officials have been foremost in this unfaithfulness.'"

Ezra's response was one of deep mourning and prayer, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. He led the people in a covenant renewal, calling for repentance and the dissolution of these marriages. Ezra 10:11 records his exhortation: "Now, therefore, make a confession to the LORD, the God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from your foreign wives."

Nehemiah's Leadership

Nehemiah, a contemporary of Ezra, also addressed the issue of intermarriage during his governorship. He discovered that some Jews had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab, and their children could not speak the language of Judah. Nehemiah 13:23-25 describes his reaction: "In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab... So I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. Then I made them take an oath before God: 'You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves!'"

Nehemiah's actions underscore the seriousness with which intermarriage was viewed, as it threatened the cultural and religious integrity of the Jewish community.

Theological Implications

The issue of intermarriage in the Old Testament highlights the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as God's people. It serves as a reminder of the dangers of syncretism and the need for faithfulness to God's commands. The concern was not ethnic but religious, focusing on the potential for leading the Israelites into idolatry and away from their covenant with God.

The New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of spiritual unity and purity among believers, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14 : "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?" This principle underscores the continuity of God's desire for His people to remain faithful and distinct in their devotion to Him.
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