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Ezra Sparks a Spiritual Revival
Ezra’s arrival in Jerusalem brought courage and hope to many
who had long worked under difficulties. Since the return of the first
exiles more than seventy years before, the people had accomplished
much. They had finished the temple and partially repaired the city
walls. Yet much remained undone.
Many of the exiles had remained true to God, but a large number
of the children and grandchildren lost sight of the sacredness of
God’s law. Even some in responsible positions were living in open
sin. Their lifestyle was largely neutralizing efforts to advance God’s
cause, for as long as no one rebuked flagrant violations of the law,
Heaven’s blessing could not rest on the people.
Those who returned with Ezra had had special times when they
sought the Lord. Their journey from Babylon, unprotected by any
human power, had taught them rich spiritual lessons. Many had
grown strong in faith, and when they mingled with the discouraged
and indifferent in Jerusalem, their influence was a powerful factor in
the reform soon begun.
Soon a few of the chief men of Israel approached Ezra with a
serious complaint. Some of “the people of Israel and the priests and
the Levites” had disregarded the holy commands of Jehovah so far as
even to intermarry with the surrounding peoples. “They have taken
some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons,”
Ezra was told, “so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples” of
heathen lands. “Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been
foremost in this trespass.”
Ezra 9:1, 2
.
Ezra had learned that Israel’s apostasy was largely because they
had mingled with heathen nations. He had seen that if they had kept
separate they would have avoided many sad experiences. Now when
he learned that prominent men had dared transgress the laws given
to safeguard them against apostasy, his heart was stirred. He was
overwhelmed with righteous indignation. “When I heard this thing,
I tore my garment and my robe. ... Then everyone who trembled
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