Wednesday, July 29, 2015
TEXT: EZRA 10:9-11
KEY VERSE: “And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel” (Ezra 10:10).
Our text notes the cooperation of the Israelites to cleanse themselves of the sin, which had caused them serious national embarrassment. Ezra, since he heard of the people’s compromise, had been much concerned. The princes and elders assisted him to call an assembly. The people felt very sorry for their sin as they gathered in front of the house of God.
Ezra made it clear to them that they had disobeyed God’s laws. When God brought their forefathers out of Egypt, He had told them point-blank not to take wives from among the people around them to avoid a situation where their hearts would turn away from Him. He equally ordered them to pass the instruction to their children. Unfortunately, the Israelites could not keep this divine injunction. For God to have mercy on them, they must confess their sins to Him, send their strange wives away, separate themselves from the idolatrous nations and avoid close relationships with them.
Obedience to God must be absolute if anyone is to be assured of His abiding mercies and benevolence. Without mincing words, Ezra firmly admonished the congregation that sin had made them miss the mark. They must repent and return to God in order to be spared of His indignation and judgment.
If you have missed the mark in your walk with God, you must return to the basics; repent and forsake sin and make restitution where necessary. Tithe and offering, good works and alms giving can never take the place of repentance. The sacrifice God accepts is a contrite and a broken spirit.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: EPHESIANS 1 - 3
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: All that God asks is that the heart be cleansed from sin.
Higher Everyday for Youths - Link: http://highereveryday.dclmhq.org/
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