We have reached the last chapter of the Book of Ezra.
And a meeting has been called …
“Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away. And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto ALL the children of the captivity, that THEY should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem; and that WHOSOEVER would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, ALL his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. Then ALL the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.” Ezra 10:6-9, note the pronouns I have emphasized, capitalized please.
A convocation to deal with the rampant sin among the people!
The sin of “mixing” with the ungodly culture that surrounded them!
The sin of not being “separated” from iniquity!
This gathering is “no cozy seminar,” to quote one commentator I read earlier today.
It is assembled “under duress!”
NO CHOICE IS GIVEN TO THE ATTENDEES!
And there’s a penalty for not coming! “Whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.” Loss of personal property … and banishment from the country!
At this meeting … SIN WILL BE CONFRONTED, HEAD-ON!
At this meeting … ACTION MUST BE TAKEN, COSTLY ACTION! (We are talking about the “breaking up” of established families, but “forbidden unions” nonetheless!)
Wow!
Ezra chapter 10 is one of the most unique (and serious) chapters in all the Bible!
The Text today reminds me of some other “forced” meetings in the future of mankind!
Like the “Judgment Seat of Christ” for every believer in Jesus!
Like the “Great White Throne” Judgment for every unbeliever!
No choice!
God ultimately holds His creation RESPONSIBLE for how we have lived our lives!
Are YOU ready for your day of judgment?
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Oh, by the way, did you notice the “weather report” at the end of our Text, Ezra 10:9? Read it with me once more … “and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.”
Trembling in fear … not filial fear (reverence for a Father) but servile fear (keen awareness of impending judgment) … but also “for the great rain.”
As if God “matched” the precipitation with the spiritual condition of the people. (And since this whole “mess” is over the Jews marrying ungodly, heathen women … maybe Proverbs 27:15 links the situation to the pouring rain! “A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.” Wow!)
Remember the rain at the Flood, in Noah’s day!
Sodom and Gomorrah too? But there God “rained” fire and brimstone!
Then again, God is fully capable of sending “showers of blessings” too! Ezekiel 34:26 … “There shall be showers of blessing.” A promise to an obedient people!