Hundreds of Jews, who (yes) had made a mistake, committed a grave sin, failure to separate themselves from the heathen inhabitants who had infiltrated the land of Judah … have now repented and rectified the situation! Best they could, anyway.
In summary: “Separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.” Ezra 10:11-12
“Separate yourselves,” as in “divorce,” send back home … those idol worshipping wives!
And the offending men said: “So must we do.”
In order to stay “in fellowship” with their brethren!
In order to “avoid chastening” at the Hand of God!
In order to “live clean lives” according to the Law of Moses!
Thus Ezra chapter 10 is a list, a compilation of around 110 men who officially “separated themselves” from wives who had refused to follow the God of Abraham!
Fully understand this drastic act or not … we all must admit that they (these Jews, these “husbands” and in many cases “fathers”) paid a steep price for their Nation’s welfare. For continued harmony with their neighbors!
Many of these (no doubt) loved their wives!
And adored their little children!
YET THEY OBEYED EZRA AND THE OTHER LEADERS OF THAT DAY! THEY INDEED SEVERED THEIR MARRIAGE TIES! THEY BADE FAREWELL TO THEIR BOYS AND GIRLS!
Stunning!
I am wondering today, “Can anything GOOD be said about this crowd?”
Yes, I believe maybe so.
They (although erring, sinning when they married these unbelieving women in the first place) “gave up” their home lives for the sake of following their God, the True God!
And years later, Jesus the Messiah (the One Who came through the godly line these Jews were preserving) said to His Disciples: “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or WIFE, or CHILDREN, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but HE SHALL RECEIVE AN HUNDREDFOLD now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands; and in the world to come eternal life.” Mark 10:29-30
Jesus made this promise specifically to Peter who had just asked: “Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?” Quoting from Matthew’s account of the same incident, Matthew 19:27.
The man who “hath left” (even) his wife … shall receive an hundredfold reward!
Folks, in Heaven (New Jerusalem) some day we shall meet these men who so shockingly followed God’s Word in Ezra 10 … and likely be amazed (based on Jesus’ Words in the Gospels) at their “rewards!”
What a gracious Lord we serve!
Oh, by the way, God will reward YOU too … for all you’ve “given” for His Name’s Sake!
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9, King James Version.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that YOUR LABOUR IS NOT IN VAIN in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
Wow, I stand amazed!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell