Ezra 9:6-15 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Ezra's prayer.

While the smoke of the altar rises to heaven from the evening sacrifice, lo! there is Ezra before the temple of the Lord with rent garments and disordered hair, bowed upon his knees, and with lifted hands, pouring out confession of sin in tones of plaintive grief and shame and terror. "O my God,! am ashamed," etc. In this prayer we mark—

I. THE CRIME CONFESSED (verses 11, 12).

1. Here were open violations of the law of God.

2. The reasons given for this law are most weighty.

3. Nothing should induce men to commit this sin.

II. THE AGGRAVATIONS ACKNOWLEDGED . Ezra confessed for his people—

1. That their experiences in the captivity should have taught them differently (verse 7).

2. The mercy of God should have been better requited (verses 8, 9). That mercy was shown—

III. THE SUBMISSION TO THE JUDGMENT OF MERCY (verses 6 and 15).

1. Here he awaits the judgment of the Lord.

2. Here is no formal plea for mercy.