Ezra 9:5. I rose up from my heaviness From that mournful posture, and put myself into the posture of a petitioner. He did this at the time of the evening sacrifice, because then devout people used to come into the courts of the temple, that, hearing his confession, they likewise might be made sensible of the sins of the people. And he had an eye to that great propitiation, of which that sacrifice was a peculiar type. read more
Ezra 9:6. O my God, I am ashamed and blush “Nothing can be more humble, devout, and pathetic, than this address, in which Ezra acknowledges that he was confounded when he thought of the greatness of their sins, which were ready to overwhelm them, and of the boldness and insolence of them beyond measure, even though they had seen the divine vengeance upon their forefathers in so terrible a manner, that they had not yet worn off the marks of his displeasure. He had, indeed, begun to show... read more
Ezra 9:7-8. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass We are not purged from the guilt of our fathers’ sins, but we are still feeling the sad effects of them; yea, and are repeating the same sins. And now for a little space grace hath been showed It is but a little while since God hath delivered us, and yet we are already returned to our sin and folly. Or, we have enjoyed this favour but a little while, now we are sinning it away, and shortening our own happiness. ... read more
Ezra 9:9. For we were bondmen In greater bondage than that in which we now are. Our God hath extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia Hath given us to find favour in their eyes. To give us a reviving To recover us from the grave of dreadful calamities in which we lay, like dead men and dry bones, Ezekiel 37:1. To repair the desolations thereof Of the temple: either to build the house where there was only a heap of the ruins of the old temple, or to frequent and... read more
Ezra 9:10. And now, what shall we say after this? What apology can we make for ourselves, after thou hast conferred such great and high favours upon us, and we have so grossly abused them? read more
Ezra 9:11-12. Is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands Or, of these lands, which are round about it. This expresses the cause or matter of this uncleanness: the land was not unclean of itself, but only polluted by the filthiness of its inhabitants. Give not your daughters unto their sons, &c., that ye may be strong Although you may fancy making leagues and marriages with them is the only way to establish you, yet, I assure you, it will weaken and ruin you,... read more
Ezra 9:13-14. After all that is come upon us for our evil deeds After all our sore sufferings for our sins. Seeing thou hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve After all thy favours shown us in the mitigation of thy judgments. And hast given us such deliverance as this So full, so sudden, so unexpected and amazing, not only to our enemies, but also to ourselves. Should we again break thy commandments, &c. Was this a fit and just requital of all thy kindnesses? Was this... read more
Ezra 9:15. O Lord, thou art righteous A just and holy God, who hatest, and wilt infallibly punish, sin and sinners. Or, thou art merciful, for the Hebrew word here rendered righteous, often signifies merciful. Notwithstanding all our sins, thou hast not utterly destroyed us, but left us a remnant; for we remain yet escaped Not entirely destroyed, not punished as we deserved. Behold, we are before thee in our trespasses We are here in thy presence, and so are all our sins; we are... read more
9:1-10:44 THE PROBLEM OF MIXED MARRIAGESEzra’s grief (9:1-15)One of the first problems that Ezra dealt with was that of mixed marriages. Israelite men had married non-Israelite wives and had families by them. The practice was widespread and involved even the leaders of the community. If allowed to continue, it could destroy Israel’s religion and even Israel’s identity as a distinct race (9:1-2).When told of the matter, Ezra was overcome with grief and shame. He turned to God to confess the sin... read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Ezra 9:15
Some take “righteous” to mean here “kind” or “merciful.” Others give it the more usual sense of “just,” and understand the full meaning of the passage to be, “Thou art righteous, and hast punished us, because of our sin, the contraction of forbidden marriages, so that we are a mere remnant of what was once a great people.” read more