Ezra 9

1 postquam autem haec conpleta sunt accesserunt ad me principes dicentes non est separatus populus Israhel et sacerdotes et Levitae a populis terrarum et de abominationibus eorum Chananei videlicet et Hetthei et Ferezei et Iebusei et Ammanitarum et Moabitarum et Aegyptiorum et Amorreorum

2 tulerunt enim de filiabus eorum sibi et filiis suis et commiscuerunt semen sanctum cum populis terrarum manus etiam principum et magistratuum fuit in transgressione hac prima

3 cumque audissem sermonem istum scidi pallium meum et tunicam et evelli capillos capitis mei et barbae et sedi maerens

4 convenerunt autem ad me omnes qui timebant verbum Dei Israhel pro transgressione eorum qui de captivitate venerant et ego sedebam tristis usque ad sacrificium vespertinum

5 et in sacrificio vespertino surrexi de adflictione mea et scisso pallio et tunica curvavi genua mea et expandi manus meas ad Dominum Deum meum

6 et dixi Deus meus confundor et erubesco levare Deus meus faciem meam ad te quoniam iniquitates nostrae multiplicatae sunt super caput et delicta nostra creverunt usque in caelum

7 a diebus patrum nostrorum sed et nos ipsi peccavimus granditer usque ad diem hanc et in iniquitatibus nostris traditi sumus ipsi et reges nostri et sacerdotes nostri in manum regum terrarum in gladium in captivitatem in rapinam et in confusionem vultus sicut et die hac

8 et nunc quasi parum et ad momentum facta est deprecatio nostra apud Dominum Deum nostrum ut dimitterentur nobis reliquiae et daretur paxillus in loco sancto eius et inluminaret oculos nostros Deus noster et daret nobis vitam modicam in servitute nostra

9 quia servi sumus et in servitute nostra non dereliquit nos Deus noster et inclinavit super nos misericordiam coram rege Persarum ut daret nobis vitam et sublimaret domum Dei nostri et extrueret solitudines eius et daret nobis sepem in Iuda et in Hierusalem

10 et nunc quid dicemus Deus noster post haec quia dereliquimus mandata tua

11 quae praecepisti in manu servorum tuorum prophetarum dicens terram ad quam vos ingredimini ut possideatis eam terra inmunda est iuxta inmunditiam populorum ceterarumque terrarum abominationibus eorum qui repleverunt eam ab ore usque ad os in coinquinatione sua

12 nunc ergo filias vestras ne detis filiis eorum et filias eorum non accipiatis filiis vestris et non quaeratis pacem eorum et prosperitatem eorum usque in aeternum ut confortemini et comedatis quae bona sunt terrae et heredes habeatis filios vestros usque in saeculum

13 et post omnia quae venerunt super nos in operibus nostris pessimis et in delicto nostro magno quia tu Deus noster liberasti nos de iniquitate nostra et dedisti nobis salutem sicut est hodie

14 ut non converteremur et irrita faceremus mandata tua neque matrimonia iungeremus cum populis abominationum istarum numquid iratus es nobis usque ad consummationem ne dimitteres nobis reliquias et salutem

15 Domine Deus Israhel iustus tu quoniam derelicti sumus qui salvaremur sicut die hac ecce coram te sumus in delicto nostro non enim stari potest coram te super hoc

Ezra 9 Commentary

Chapter 9

Ezra mourns for the Jews' conduct. (1-4) Ezra's confession of sins. (5-15)

Verses 1-4 Many corruptions lurk out of the view of the most careful rulers. Some of the people disobeyed the express command of God, which forbade all marriages with the heathen, ( Deuteronomy 7 ) . Disbelief of God's all-sufficiency, is at the bottom of the sorry shifts we make to help ourselves. They exposed themselves and their children to the peril of idolatry, that had ruined their church and nation. Carnal professors may make light of such connexions, and try to explain away the exhortations to be separate; but those who are best acquainted with the word of God, will treat the subject in another manner. They must forebode the worst from such unions. The evils excused, and even pleaded for; by many professors, astonish and cause regret in the true believer. All who profess to be God's people, ought to strengthen those that appear and act against vice and profaneness.

Verses 5-15 The sacrifice, especially the evening sacrifice, was a type of the blessed Lamb of God, who in the evening of the world, was to take away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Ezra's address is a penitent confession of sin, the sin of his people. But let this be the comfort of true penitents, that though their sins reach to the heavens, God's mercy is in the heavens. Ezra, speaking of sin, speaks as one much ashamed. Holy shame is as necessary in true repentance as holy sorrow. Ezra speaks as much amazed. The discoveries of guilt cause amazement; the more we think of sin, the worse it looks. Say, God be merciful to me sinner. Ezra speaks as one much afraid. There is not a surer or saddler presage of ruin, than turning to sin, after great judgments, and great deliverances. Every one in the church of God, has to wonder that he has not wearied out the Lord's patience, and brought destruction upon himself. What then must be the case of the ungodly? But though the true penitent has nothing to plead in his own behalf, the heavenly Advocate pleads most powerfully for him.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 9

Ezra being informed, by some of the princes who complained unto him, of the marriages of many of the Israelites with the people of the land, the Canaanites and others, was greatly grieved and distressed, Ezr 9:1-5, upon which he made a confession of their sins to God, with great shame, sorrow, and contrition, and deprecated the evils which they deserved, Ezr 9:6-15.