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In Ezra, chapter ten, verse eleven, the actions of Ezra and the Israelite community at this stage of history should not be considered a standard for those under the new covenant. Concerning marriage and divorce for New Testament believers, the scriptures teach the following: The believer must not wed an unbeliever, as in First Corinthians […]

In Ezra, chapter ten, verse four, courage and decisive action in a leader are necessary to oppose worldly trends among God’s people, to issue an earnest call to sinners to turn away from sin and back to God, and to encourage obedience to His Word. Ezra demonstrated these qualities when he required that the chosen

In Ezra, chapter ten, verse three, Ezra required divorce for the following reasons: Marrying heathen women had constituted an act of unfaithfulness to God and His Word, as in verse ten, and chapter ten, verse two. True repentance required separation to rectify the evil. Divorcing heathen wives was necessary to maintain Israel’s purpose as a

In Ezra, chapter nine, verse three, Ezra’s response to grief and his prayer are a classic example of the concern and distress that all ministers of God should have when they see God’s people conforming to ungodly customs. Ezra was appalled, ashamed, and deeply saddened because of the guilt, as in verses three through six.Ezra

In Ezra, chapter nine, verse two, Israel’s high calling was to be “holy seed,” as in Exodus nineteen, verse six, Isaiah six, verse thirteen, and Malachi two, verse fifteen, respectively. They were to be God’s possession, reflecting His person and holiness while separating themselves from the immoral ways of those who did not belong to

In Ezra, chapter nine, verse two, Ezra arrives in Jerusalem, and he discovers that many of the people, including priests, Levites, and rulers, had married women who worshipped other gods and practiced the heathen abominations and impurities, as in verses one, two, and eleven, respectively. In the Old Testament, intermarriage with the ungodly is prohibited

In Ezra, chapter nine, verse one, the past failure of the people of God to separate themselves from the sinful societies around them had led them into idolatry and immorality, and it eventually caused their captivity and exile, as in Second Chronicles thirty-six, verses fourteen through twenty-one. Now, after God had brought a small remnant

In Ezra, chapter eight, verse twenty-three, God looks favorably on a people who humbly and earnestly fast and petition Him about a matter, as in Nehemiah one, verse four. Just as God responded favorably to Ezra’s request, He will honor all with sincere hearts and seek Him in prayer and fasting.Ezra procured Levites to go

In Ezra, chapter eight, verse twenty-one, fasting entails abstaining from food for a limited period. God’s Old Testament people fasted to express humility, self-denial, and submission to God, to seek His grace, help, protection, and favor, as in verses twenty-one and thirty-one. Fasting occurred when they were oppressed by great cares, as in Second Samuel

In Ezra, chapter seven, verse ten, Ezra was a model for all who would dedicate themselves as people pointed by God to studying, obeying, and teaching the Word of God, as in verses six and nine. Ezra believed that the law was given through Moses by God Himself and that it was the ultimate authority