Zechariah 7:1 In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of Yahveh came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev. Zechariah 7:2 Now the people of Bethel had sent Sharezer, Regem-melech, and their men to plead for Yahveh’s favor Zechariah 7:3 by asking the priests who were at the house of Yahveh of Armies as well as the prophets, “Should we mourn and fast in the fifth month as we have done these many years?” Zechariah 7:4 Then the word of Yahveh of Armies came to me: Zechariah 7:5 “Ask all the people of the land and the priests: When you fasted and passionately demonstrated sorrow in the fifth and in the seventh months for these seventy years, did you really fast for me? Zechariah 7:6 When you eat and drink, don’t you eat and drink simply for yourselves? Zechariah 7:7 Aren’t these the words that Yahveh proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem was lived in and secure, along with its surrounding cities, and when the southern region and the Judean foothills were lived in?” Zechariah 7:8 The word of Yahveh came to Zechariah: Zechariah 7:9 “Yahveh of Armies says this: ‘Make fair decisions. Show faithful love and compassion to one another. Zechariah 7:10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the resident alien or the poor, and do not plot evil in your hearts against one another.’ Zechariah 7:11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear. Zechariah 7:12 They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that Yahveh of Armies had sent by his Breath through the earlier prophets. Therefore, intense anger came from Yahveh of Armies. Zechariah 7:13 Just as he had called, and they would not listen, so when they called, I would not listen, says Yahveh of Armies. Zechariah 7:14 I scattered them with a windstorm over all the nations that had not known them, and the land was left desolate behind them, with no one coming or going. They turned a pleasant land into a desolation.”
the fast that really matters
Chislev was the month designated for fasting, to remember the destruction of Jerusalem. Now that the temple was being rebuilt, some of the people requested that the fast be discontinued. Zechariah’s answer from the LORD was that the fast that really matters is a change of heart, resulting in a change of life. If that does not happen, it does not matter if there is a physical temple or not. God wants his spiritual temple in the land. We are it.
LORD, turn us into people who demonstrate your kindness and mercy and justice to others. Soften our diamond-hard hearts.
Zechariah 6:1 I looked up again and noticed four chariots between two mountains. The mountains were made of bronze. Zechariah 6:2 The first chariot had red horses, the second chariot black horses, Zechariah 6:3 the third chariot white horses, and the fourth chariot spotted horses — all strong horses. Zechariah 6:4 So I asked the angel speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” Zechariah 6:5 The angel told me, “These are the four winds of the sky going out after presenting themselves to Yahveh of the whole land. Zechariah 6:6 The one with the black horses is going to the land of the north, the white horses are going after them, but the spotted horses are going to the land of the south.” Zechariah 6:7 As the strong horses went out, they wanted to patrol the land, and Yahveh said, “Go, patrol the land.” So, they patrolled the land. Zechariah 6:8 Then he summoned me saying, “See, those going to the land of the north have pacified my Breath in the northern land.” Zechariah 6:9 The word of Yahveh came to me: Zechariah 6:10 “Take an offering from the exiles, from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Zechariah 6:11 Take silver and gold, make a crown, and place it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Zechariah 6:12 You are to tell him: This is what Yahveh of Armies says: Notice a man named Branch; he will branch out from his place and build Yahveh’s temple. Zechariah 6:13 Yes, he will build Yahveh’s temple, be clothed in splendor, sit on his throne, and rule. There will also be a priest on his throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between them. Zechariah 6:14 The crown will reside in Yahveh’s temple as a memorial to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah, and Hen, son of Zephaniah. Zechariah 6:15 People who are far off will come and build YahvehY’s temple, and you will know that Yahveh of Armies has sent me to you. This will happen when you fully obey Yahveh your God.”
He’s making things right
The final apocalyptic vision of Zechariah is similar to the first. Only, the four horses are now attached to chariots. They no longer spy out the lands surrounding Jerusalem, but patrol it as weapons of warfare and protection. The tide has turned, and now power is coming from Israel, and creating rest for it. The Branch is coming. His precursor stands already, Joshua ben Jehozadak. He will serve with the prince to restore the people. Both these sections cry out: good things are coming, trust God.
LORD, give us the courage and insight to trust you to make things right.
Zechariah 5:1 I looked up again and noticed a flying scroll. Zechariah 5:2 “What do you see?” he asked me. “I see a flying scroll,” I replied, “thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide.” Zechariah 5:3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that is going out over the whole land, for everyone who is a thief, contrary to what is written on one side, has gone unpunished, and everyone who swears falsely, contrary to what is written on the other side, has gone unpunished. Zechariah 5:4 I will send it out,” – this is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies – “and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of the one who swears falsely by my name. It will stay inside his house and destroy it along with its timbers and stones.” Zechariah 5:5 Then the angel who was speaking with me came forward and told me, “Look up and see what this is that is approaching.” Zechariah 5:6 So I asked, “What is it?” He responded, “It’s a measuring basket that is approaching.” And he continued, “This is their iniquity in all the land.” Zechariah 5:7 Then I noticed as a lead cover was lifted, and there was a woman sitting inside the basket. Zechariah 5:8 “This is Wickedness,” he said. He shoved her down into the basket and pushed the lead weight over its opening. Zechariah 5:9 Then I looked up and saw two women approaching with the wind in their wings. Their wings were like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between the land and the sky. Zechariah 5:10 So I asked the angel speaking with me, “Where are they taking the basket?” Zechariah 5:11 “To build a shrine for it in the land of Shinar,” he told me. “When that is ready, the basket will be placed on its pedestal.”
drive sin away
These two visions show what the LORD is going to do to rid the land of sin. He is going to curse the houses of the thief and the one who swears falsely for personal gain. Since they both sinned for personal gain, what they gained will be taken away. Their houses will be cleaned out.
He is going to remove idolatry from the land, symbolized by the woman in the basket, described as wickedness herself. Many of the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites involved sexual sin, just as pornography today is this same kind of idolatry. Also, taking foreign wives often led the Israelites to apostasy. But the LORD shows here that he is not judging females in general by this singular phenomenon: the angels who deport the wicked woman are portrayed as women themselves!
LORD, clean us out, drive sin away from our houses.
Zechariah 4:1 The angel speaking with me then returned and roused me as one awakened out of sleep. Zechariah 4:2 He asked me, “What do you see?” I replied, “I see – I noticed a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top. The lampstand also has seven lamps at the top with seven spouts for each of the lamps. Zechariah 4:3 There are also two olive trees beside it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” Zechariah 4:4 Then I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these, my lord?” Zechariah 4:5 “Don’t you know what they are?” replied the angel who was speaking with me. I said, “No, my lord.” Zechariah 4:6 So he answered me, “This is the word of Yahveh to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength or by might, but by my Breath,’ says Yahveh of Armies. Zechariah 4:7 ‘What are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain. And he will bring out the capstone accompanied by shouts of: Grace, grace to it! ‘” Zechariah 4:8 Then the word of Yahveh came to me: Zechariah 4:9 “Zerubbabel’s hands have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it. Then you will know that Yahveh of Armies has sent me to you. Zechariah 4:10 For who despises the day of small things? These seven eyes of Yahveh, which scan throughout the whole land, will rejoice when they see the ceremonial stone in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:11 I asked him, “What are the two olive trees on the right and left of the lampstand?” Zechariah 4:12 And I questioned him further, “What are the two streams of the olive trees, from which the golden oil is pouring through the two golden conduits?” Zechariah 4:13 Then he inquired of me, “Don’t you know what these are?” “No, my lord,” I replied. Zechariah 4:14 “These are the two anointed ones,” he said, “who stand by Yahveh of the whole land.”
God’s Breath will do it.
Joshua and Zerubbabel were the two sons of new oil, the newly reestablished priesthood and the governor will work together to see to it that God’s light continues to shine. The obstacles will be removed not by the might of human ability, nor the power of human influence. God’s Spirit will do it.
LORD, when the task seems too great for us, remind us that it is your Holy Spirit who will do it.
Zechariah 3:1 Then he showed me the high priest Joshua standing before the angel of Yahveh, with Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. Zechariah 3:2 Yahveh said to Satan: “Yahveh rebuke you, Satan! May Yahveh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” Zechariah 3:3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. Zechariah 3:4 So the angel of Yahveh spoke to those standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes!” Then he said to him, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with festive robes.” Zechariah 3:5 I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So, a clean turban was placed on his head, and they clothed him in garments while the angel of Yahveh stood nearby. Zechariah 3:6 Then the angel of Yahveh charged Joshua: Zechariah 3:7 “This is what Yahveh of Armies says: If you walk in my ways and keep my mandates, you will both rule my house and care for my courts; I will also grant you access among those standing here. Zechariah 3:8 “Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your colleagues sitting before you; indeed, these men are a sign to notice that I am about to bring my servant, the Branch. Zechariah 3:9 Watch the stone I have set before Joshua; on that one stone are seven eyes. I will engrave an inscription on it” – this is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies – “and I will take away the iniquity of this land in a single day. Zechariah 3:10 On that day, each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree.” This is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies.
clothed in clean clothes
As soon as God decided to bring revival, Satan showed up to accuse the temple leaders of being unworthy to lead it. The LORD shows Zechariah a vision in which Joshua, the high priest, is clothed in clean clothes, to replace those which are literally covered in excrement. The LORD imputed righteousness to him, in order to make him qualified to lead others to him. That is what he does for us as well. We cheapen grace if we stop at the personal salvation. We are saved to be priests, leading people to the Branch, king Jesus.
LORD, thank you for the new clothes. Give us courage to walk in your ways and keep your charge.
Zechariah 1:18 Then I looked up and noticed four horns. Zechariah 1:19 So I asked the angel who was speaking with me, “What are these?” And he said to me, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.” Zechariah 1:20 Then Yahveh showed me four craftsmen. Zechariah 1:21 I asked, “What are they coming to do?” He replied, “These are the horns that scattered Judah so no one could raise his head. These craftsmen have come to terrify them, to cut off the horns of the nations that raised a horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.” Zechariah 2:1 I looked up and noticed a man with a measuring line in his hand. Zechariah 2:2 I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem to determine its width and length.” Zechariah 2:3 Then I noticed as the angel who was speaking with me went out, and another angel went out to meet him. Zechariah 2:4 He said to him, “Run and tell this young man: Jerusalem will be lived in without walls because of the number of people and livestock in it.” Zechariah 2:5 The declaration of Yahveh: “I myself will be a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory within it.” Zechariah 2:6 “Listen! Listen! Flee from the land of the north”– this is Yahveh’s declaration– ” because I have scattered you like the four winds of the sky” – this is Yahveh’s declaration. Zechariah 2:7 “Listen, Zion! Escape, you who are living with Daughter Babylon.” Zechariah 2:8 For Yahveh of Armies says this: “In pursuit of his glory, he sent me against the nations plundering you, for whoever touches you touches the pupil of my eye. Zechariah 2:9 You see, notice, I am raising my hand against them, and they will become plunder for their own servants. Then you will know that Yahveh of Armies has sent me. Zechariah 2:10 “Daughter Zion, shout for joy and be glad, notice – because I am coming to dwell among you”– this is Yahveh’s declaration. Zechariah 2:11 “Many nations will join themselves to Yahveh on that day and become my people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that Yahveh of Armies has sent me to you. Zechariah 2:12 Yahveh will take possession of Judah as his portion in the Holy Land, and he will once again choose Jerusalem. Zechariah 2:13 Let everything with skin on be silent before Yahveh, for from his holy dwelling he has roused himself.”
time to escape
Those who scattered Judah will themselves be shaken, and the people will return to a city protected by the LORD himself. Those who have been living in Babylon are told to flee from that land of the north, and escape to Zion.
Where are you living today? Are you at home in the LORD’s land, or do you live in the land of Babylon? You cannot stay on that foreign soil. The LORD is about to judge it. Escape to the LORD’s protected city.
LORD, we have been living in Babylon too long. Give us the courage to escape it, before it is too late.
Zechariah 1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahveh came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo: Zechariah 1:2 “Yahveh was extremely angry with your ancestors. Zechariah 1:3 So tell the people, ‘This is what Yahveh of Armies says: Return to me– this is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies — and I will return to you, says Yahveh of Armies. Zechariah 1:4 Do not be like your ancestors; the earlier prophets proclaimed to them: This is what Yahveh of Armies says: Turn from your evil ways and your evil deeds. But they did not listen or pay attention to me — this is Yahveh’s declaration. Zechariah 1:5 Where are your ancestors now? And do the prophets live forever? Zechariah 1:6 But didn’t my words and my statutes that I commanded my servants the prophets overtake your ancestors? ‘” So, the people repented and said, “As Yahveh of Armies decided to deal with us for our ways and our deeds, so he has dealt with us.” Zechariah 1:7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of Yahveh came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo: Zechariah 1:8 I looked out in the night and noticed a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the valley. Behind him were red, brown, and white horses. Zechariah 1:9 I asked, “What are these, my lord?” The angel who was talking to me replied, “I will show you what they are.” Zechariah 1:10 Then the man standing among the myrtle trees explained, “They are the ones Yahveh has sent to patrol the land.” Zechariah 1:11 They reported to the angel of Yahveh standing among the myrtle trees, “We have patrolled the land – notice — and right now the whole land is settled and quiet.” Zechariah 1:12 Then the angel of Yahveh responded, “How long, Lord of Armies, will you withhold mercy from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah that you have been angry with these seventy years?” Zechariah 1:13 Yahveh replied with kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me. Zechariah 1:14 So the angel who was speaking with me said, “Proclaim: Yahveh of Armies says: I am very ready to fight for Jerusalem and Zion. Zechariah 1:15 I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease, for I was a little angry, but they made the destruction worse. Zechariah 1:16 Therefore, this is what Yahveh says: In mercy, I have returned to Jerusalem; my house will be rebuilt within it– this is the declaration of Yahveh of Armies– and a measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem. Zechariah 1:17 “Proclaim further: This is what Yahveh of Armies says: My cities will again overflow with prosperity; Yahveh will once more comfort Zion and again choose Jerusalem.”
horse report
The horses of Zechariah may represent the races of the nations surrounding Jerusalem and Judah. Their riders go out in each direction, spying out the lands. They see that the Gentile nations are at rest. They report this back to the man riding the first red horse, ho may be the angel representing Judah itself. The three different colors might represent the various descendants of the three sons of Noah. The point is that the surrounding nations are at rest, and Judah is not. God is going to change that.
LORD, we are grateful that you see our predicament. We trust you to change what needs to change.
3 John 1:1 The elder: To my cared about Gaius, whom I genuinely care about. 3 John 1:2 Cared about one; I pray that everything is going well with you and you are in good health, just as your throat is going well. 3 John 1:3 I was very glad when brothers came and testified to your loyalty to the truth—how you are walking truthfully. 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children walk truthfully. 3 John 1:5 Cared about one, you are living faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers. 3 John 1:6 They have testified to your care before the congregation. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God, 3 John 1:7 since they set out for the Name’s sake, accepting nothing from Nations. 3 John 1:8 That is why we ought to support such people to be coworkers with the truth. 3 John 1:9 I wrote something to the congregation, but Diotrephes, who loves to have first place among them, does not welcome us. 3 John 1:10 This is why if I come, I will remind him of what he is doing, slandering us with malicious words. And he is not satisfied with that! He refuses to welcome brothers and even stops those who want to do so and expels them from the congregation. 3 John 1:11 Cared about one: do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:12 Everyone speaks well of Demetrius—even the truth itself. And we also speak well of him, so you know our testimony is true. 3 John 1:13 I have many things to write to you, but I don’t want to use pen and ink. 3 John 1:14 I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. 3 John 1:15 Peace to you. The friends send you greetings. Greet the friends by name.
In his second letter, John had encouraged believers not to associate with deceivers who taught new things. In this third letter, he deals with the opposite problem. Diotrephes – apparently a leader in the church John writes to – has refused to accept a legitimate ministry. He used his position in the church to deny support to others, seeking to narrow the people’s attention to only himself.
I am concerned with the modern church’s emphasis on pastoral authority. It seems to be creating people like Diotrephes — people who equate their own leadership with God’s will and his way. When Jesus was asked about who would be in charge, he told his disciples to imitate the children. They were to assume that everyone else was their better, and live in submission to everyone.
There are some false teachings we ought to shun. But there are lots of legitimate ministries we ought to be accepting and supporting. Finding the appropriate balance will require discernment.
LORD, help us support legitimate manifestations of your Holy Spirit, while avoiding counterfeits. And help our leaders to stop hogging control of your church.
Ezra 10:1 While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, a vast assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly. Ezra 10:2 Then Shecaniah, son of Jehiel, an Elamite, responded to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples, but there is still hope for Israel despite this. Ezra 10:3 Let us, therefore, make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the law. Ezra 10:4 Get up; this matter is your responsibility, and we support you. Be strong and take action!” Ezra 10:5 Then Ezra got up and made the leading priests, Levites, and all Israel take an oath to do what had been said; so, they took the oath. Ezra 10:6 Ezra then went from the house of God and walked to the chamber of Jehohanan, son of Eliashib, where he spent the night. He did not eat food or drink water because he was mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles. Ezra 10:7 They proclaimed throughout Judah and Jerusalem that all the exiles should gather in Jerusalem. Ezra 10:8 Whoever did not come within three days would forfeit all his possessions, according to the decision of the leaders and elders, and would be excluded from the assembly of the exiles. Ezra 10:9 So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered in Jerusalem within the three days. On the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of the heavy rain. Ezra 10:10 Then the priest Ezra stood up and said to them, “You have been unfaithful by marrying foreign women, adding to Israel’s guilt. Ezra 10:11 Therefore, confess Yahveh, the God of your fathers, and do his will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and your foreign wives.” Ezra 10:12 All the assembly responded loudly: “Yes, we will do as you say! Ezra 10:13 But there are many people, and it is the rainy season. We don’t have the stamina to stay out in the open. This isn’t something that can be done in a day or two, for we have rebelled terribly in this matter. Ezra 10:14 Let our leaders represent the entire assembly. Then, let all those in our towns who have married foreign women come at appointed times, together with the elders and judges of each town, to avert the fierce anger of our God concerning this matter. Ezra 10:15 Only Jonathan, son of Asahel, and Jahzeiah, son of Tikvah, opposed this, with Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite supporting them. Ezra 10:16 The exiles did what had been proposed. The priest Ezra selected men who were family heads, all identified by name, to represent their ancestral families. They convened on the first day of the tenth month to investigate the matter, Ezra 10:17, and by the first day of the first month, they had dealt with all the men who had married foreign women. Ezra 10:18 The following were found to have married foreign women from the descendants of the priests: from the descendants of Jeshua, son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. Ezra 10:19 They pledged to send their wives away, and being guilty, they offered a ram from the flock for their guilt; Ezra 10:20 Hanani and Zebadiah from Immer’s descendants; Ezra 10:21 Maaseiah, Elijah, Shemaiah, Jehiel, and Uzziah from Harim’s descendants; Ezra 10:22 Elioenai, Maaseiah, Ishmael, Nethanel, Jozabad, and Elasah from Pashhur’s descendants. Ezra 10:23 The Levites: Jozabad, Shimei, Kelaiah (that is Kelita), Pethahiah, Judah, and Eliezer. Ezra 10:24 The singers: Eliashib. The gatekeepers: Shallum, Telem, and Uri. Ezra 10:25 The Israelites: Parosh’s descendants: Ramiah, Izziah, Malchijah, Mijamin, Eleazar, Malchijah, and Benaiah; Ezra 10:26 Elam’s descendants: Mattaniah, Zechariah, Jehiel, Abdi, Jeremoth, and Elijah; Ezra 10:27 Zattu’s descendants: Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, Jeremoth, Zabad, and Aziza; Ezra 10:28 Bebai’s descendants: Jehohanan, Hananiah, Zabbai, and Athlai; Ezra 10:29 Bani’s descendants: Meshullam, Malluch, Adaiah, Jashub, Sheal, and Jeremoth; Ezra 10:30 Pahath-moab’s descendants: Adna, Chelal, Benaiah, Maaseiah, Mattaniah, Bezalel, Binnui, and Manasseh; Ezra 10:31 Harim’s descendants: Eliezer, Isshijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, Ezra 10:32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah; Ezra 10:33 Hashum’s descendants: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei; Ezra 10:34 Bani’s descendants: Maadai, Amram, Uel, Ezra 10:35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluhi, Ezra 10:36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, Ezra 10:37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasu, Ezra 10:38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei, Ezra 10:39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, Ezra 10:40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, Ezra 10:41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, Ezra 10:42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph; Ezra 10:43 Nebo’s descendants: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah. Ezra 10:44 All of these had married foreign women, and some wives had given birth to children.
not allowed to enter
The sin that had been committed was not simply the marrying of foreign wives. It was the the marrying women and fathering children who did not put their faith in the LORD. That was the crime which took three months to sort out in the courts. Each family had to be tested to see whether they had truly converted and were faithful to the LORD. Those who would not prove allegiance to the God of Israel could not be allowed to settle in restored Jerusalem. Similarly, a judgment will take place before the new heavens and new earth will be occupied. Those whose names are not found in the book of life will not be allowed to enter the new Jerusalem, and they will not be allowed to partake of the tree of life and live forever.
LORD, purge us of our hypocrisy and capriciousness. Make of us genuine people, fit for eternity.
Ezra 9:1 After these things had been done, the leaders approached me. They said: “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Ezra 9:2 Indeed, the Israelite men have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so the sacred seed has become mixed with the surrounding peoples. The leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!” Ezra 9:3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled some hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated. Ezra 9:4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat devastated until the evening offering. Ezra 9:5 At the evening offering, I got up from humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread my hands to Yahveh, my God. Ezra 9:6 And I said: My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt is as high as the sky. Ezra 9:7 Our guilt has been terrible from the days of our fathers until the present. Because of our iniquities, we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the surrounding kings and the sword, captivity, plundering, and open shame, as it is today. Ezra 9:8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from Yahveh our God, to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in his sacred place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes. Ezra 9:9 Though we are slaves, our God has not abandoned us in our slavery. He has extended grace to us in the presence of the Persian kings, relieving us to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. Ezra 9:10 Now, our God, what can we say in light of this? For we have abandoned the commands Ezra 9:11 you gave through your servants the prophets, saying: “The land you are entering to possess is impure. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices. Ezra 9:12 So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons. Never pursue their welfare or prosperity so that you will be strong. Eat the good things of the land and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever. Ezra 9:13 After all that has happened to us because of our evil deeds and terrible guilt– though you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have allowed us to survive– Ezra 9:14: should we break your commands again and intermarry with the people who commit these detestable practices? Wouldn’t you become so angry with us that you would destroy us, leaving neither remnant nor survivor? Ezra 9:15 Lord God of Israel, you are righteous, for we survive as a remnant today. We are before you with our guilt, though no one can stand in your presence.
before him with our guilt
God had granted his people a little reviving, and that had served to highlight the faithlessness of the people. They had intermarried with the idolatrous nations around them – something that the LORD told them not to do. It would have been a visible reminder of their disqualification.
LORD, forgive us for failing to live up to our promises to you. Allow us to deal radically with our own failures, so that we can represent you to a world that needs you.
Devotions 