Ezra 9:1-4 – Marriage to Unbelievers
Yesterday, we saw that Ezra’s mission from Artaxerxes was accomplished. Today, we see that his mission from the LORD was just beginning. Recall from chapter 7 that Ezra set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to obey it and to teach it to others. We noted back then that there was a special need for faithful preachers of God’s Word in Judah, as the priests in Jerusalem in this period had grown lax in their responsibilities toward worship and teaching the Scriptures. As a result, the people have become faithless to the LORD and His covenants. We can learn more about these things from the Book of Malachi, for it was in this same general time period that God sent that prophet to call the people to repentance.
A problem encountered by Ezra (and Nehemiah after him), and denounced by the prophet Malachi, is that of intermarriage with unbelievers. Many of the Jews in the land have intermarried with other people groups – “the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands.” In previous passages (like Ezra 6:21), we have seen that people born outside of the covenant could become Israelites through faith in the LORD. The problem we find here, then, is not that the bloodline of Israel is corrupted, but that several Israelites have not been faithful to marry within the covenant people. Throughout Scripture, we find that the LORD commands that believers, if they marry, must marry believers. Ezra learns that many Jews have ignored this and married idolaters. They have failed, therefore, to separate themselves from the “peoples of the lands with their abominations.” Malachi points out that dire consequences follow when Israelites marry outside of the visible Church. For example, children of such marriages are raised by at least one idolatrous parent (see Malachi 2:10-16). Ezra is appalled at this state of affairs.
Questions
- What problem does Ezra encounter after his arrival at Jerusalem?
- Why is this a problem?
Prayer Points
- Pray that Christian will be faithful to marry within the covenant.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.