Ezra 10:13-44 - Homiletics

A satisfactory close.

When a nation has openly resolved on the reformation of a national sin, there is still one thing remaining to be accomplished, viz; that reformation itself. This, accordingly, is that which we read of in the remaining part of this chapter. "As thou hast said, so must we do." Such was the resolve of all as expressed in Ezra 10:12 . In Ezra 10:13-44 , which come before us now, we see that resolve carried out. We shall find that it was so carried out, first, with very great zeal; and secondly, with very great care.

I. VERY GREAT ZEAL . When the people had spoken, as just noted, they did not stop short. Neither did they wait for Ezra or the riflers to arrange proceedings for them. They themselves, on the contrary, made proposals for so doing. We may suppose that they all, as a body, joined in the resolve of verse 12. Afterwards, probably, some one or two of them spoke in the name of the rest, suggesting the method of action described to us in verses 13, 14. This spontaneous promptness in such a direction was itself a proof of much zeal. It is true of all men in earnest that they show their desire of success by the plans which they form for securing it (see Psalms 36:4 ; Isaiah 32:8 ). In the present instance, moreover, it is to be noticed that the people formed such plans

II. VERY GREAT CARE . These things being agreed on, the meeting, no doubt, dispersed. No time appears to have been lost in carrying out the resolution passed. We find evidences, however, of the care this was done with—

1. In the final settlement of the commission resolved on. Ezra, it appears (so some understand verse 16), did not take all those who were qualified by position to act upon it; but himself "separated" off only "certain" men of each principal "house" among them. Also, in order to prevent all mistake, or confusion, or subsequent possibility of objection, he enrolled and announced publicly the "names" of all such. And, finally, notwithstanding the. urgency of the matter, he took ten full days for this work of selection and enrolment, viz; from the twentieth day of the ninth month to the first day of the tenth. This was time, we may be certain, very well spent, but it was in great contrast to the "three days" of verse 8, and a great evidence, therefore, of his great care in preparing for this work.

2. In the actual operations of the commission , when thus fixed. The very manner, e.g; of their commencing seems to be indicative of this spirit. "They sat down to examine this matter," as men who felt how long and arduous a task they had on their hands, and who wished, therefore, to give to it their undivided attention and care (comp. Matthew 27:36 ). We see the same spirit in the long continuance and perseverance of their work. It took them three months to "make an end' of the examination; but it was a full end when they did. By the "first day of the first month" (verse 17), of the next year, there was nothing left to be done. And we see it also in the impartiality and thoroughness of their work. On the one hand, there was no respect of persons on the side of the great. "Among the sons of the priests" (verse 18) were found those who had taken strange wives, some of these being even amongst the high priest's own relations. What was to be done about these? As teachers and ministers of the truth, were they in as much danger as others from idolatrous connections in their houses? Even if so, was it necessary for their severance from such connections to be made an occasion of public scandal? Must the names of each be made known? Must they be made known as those of offenders? Must men of such standing be openly bound over to reform their households? If these questions were ever asked, we see from verse 19 how they were answered. If anything, the severest measure was dealt out to these distinguished offenders. They had to lead the way in repentance; also a written promise of amendment, and an open confession of transgression, were required in each case. On the other hand, there was no respect of persons with regard to the lowly ( Exodus 23:3 ). Whosoever had offended, whether priests (verses 20-22), or Levites (verse 23), or singers (verse 24), or porters, or lay members of the house of Israel; and however difficult and painful in some cases the circumstances might be (end verse 44), there was but one measure for all. This, indeed, is what makes this catalogue here a fit conclusion to the whole. This apparently unnecessary list of names had great value in its day. It was the formal "report," so to speak, of Ezra and his brother "commissioners," the last part of their labours, the final proof of their care. That "report" being presented, the "commission" ceased to exist.

Let us learn, in conclusion, the following lessons respecting the eradication of evil in God's congregation, viz.—

1. Its peculiar difficulty. From the time when Ezra first heard of this mixed-marriages evil to the last day of the last month of that year, when the last case of the kind was disposed of, what a long succession of difficulties and obstacles he had to encounter and overcome! Also, what tears, prayers, lastings, watchings, efforts, and seeming extremity of severity on his part and that of others were required in order to overcome them! Yet, even so, some years afterwards, what do we find ( Nehemiah 13:23-29 )?

2. Its peculiar costliness. See what had to be given up in this particular case. It reminds one of Matthew 5:30 ; Deuteronomy 13:6-11 . The only way to prevent the destruction of the whole house of Israel and of each individual Israelite, by the spreading of the infection, was by "stamping it out," wherever found, and whatever the cost.

3. Its peculiar importance. If it costs much, how much more is it worth! Well does the account of the completion of this reformation come in at the end of this book. It is indeed "the crowning of the edifice," to borrow a modern phrase. All that we read of in the previous chapters would have been valueless without this. Of what avail the strongest fortification, if in treacherous hands. It was much to have restored to them the material house of God's presence. It was much more to have such a reformed spiritual "house," or congregation, rightly to use that material house for God's glory. So much more, in fact, this spiritual congregation, when it finally arrives at its best, will be without any house of that other kind ( Revelation 21:22 ).