This is the final part of the series on Ezra.

Unfortunatley the recording did not work so there is no podcast this week, sorry! Notes are below as usual.

Ezra Part 11

Ezra Chapter 10

Previously:

Ezra discovers that some of the returners have been marrying wives from the forbidden nations. We saw why it was so serious and why it had to be handled so radically.

  • The priestly line could have been lost.
  • This treatment of the foreign wives is far from the ethics of Jesus.
  • Our descendants matter.

This week:

Singing in the Rain?

Within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin had gathered in Jerusalem. And on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people were sitting in the square before the house of God, greatly distressed by the occasion and because of the rain. Ezra 10:9

The song Singing in the Rain must be about the exact opposite of the experience, in the rain, of the returners from exile. But why by the inspiration of God is this detail about rain included in the account? Let’s read the whole section and see if we can find some clues.

1) Authentic Repentance?

Can I argue for the authenticity of their repentance? Can I argue for the opposite? I think I could argue both sides.

Authentic?

They gathered as one man in the rain and “greatly distressed by the occasion”. They agreed to put away their foreign wives and children.

Not authentic?

The many were there because of the decision of a few, see verses 2-8. Those that did not gather would forfeit all their property (verse 8).

2) What about my repentance?

What about the authenticity of you repentance and mine? Some scriptures to help us know ourselves in this matter.

Matthew 3:4-11

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt round his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptised by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptising, he said to them: You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Acts 20:17-21

From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 7:10

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Luke 15:7

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

One thing we can know about that time in the rain, and the period that followed, is that it was one of great pain and loss for the sake of God.

See Philippians 3:7ff.