Thoughts for the Day

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him out of Israel; the people also wept bitterly. Shecaniah son of Jehiel, of the descendants of Elam, addressed Ezra, saying, ‘We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. So now let us make a covenant with our God to send away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law. Take action, for it is your duty, and we are with you; be strong, and do it.’ Then Ezra stood up and made the leading priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear that they would do as had been said. So they swore.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

What on earth can we make of this judgement - to send away all the wives and children of pagan background? There is no way we can easily understand this pronouncement. We are talking about the rejection of hundreds of people, and not just ordinary people, but many Priests and Levites as well. But we should remember that this abomination has been found throughout society from top to bottom, and if allowed to continue would destroy the worship of the one God, Jehovah.

We should not think that the women and children were to be discarded in the desert, or some other terrible place. They would return to their families in the surrounding towns and villages, for divorce was not unknown in Israel. However, it would have undoubtedly brought shame on individual families and exacerbate a rift between those who had lived in the area for years and the exiles who have returned.

The primary law for the Israelites was to "Love the Lord your God", and they had chosen to forsake Him and to follow other gods. But, they have recognised their grievous sin and repented, though not expecting God to forgive them. However, the passage ends with Shecaniah speaking of hope for the future.

We too can have hope when we confess our sin, no matter how serious it is, and when we attempt to put things right with God and with other people.

Father God,
we bring to You this day our sins,
acknowledging our responsibility,
and knowing we have no right
to expect forgiveness.
Help us to put right what is wrong,
and for the sake of Your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ,
forgive us.
Amen.