Ezra 9

Have you ever been pushed to the very edge? To the depths of despair?

Ezra's response to the news from the leaders is a radical reaction. You might expect him to feel this way after losing something or someone dear to him. The reason is because of the unfaithfulness of the people. The same people who had been brought back to their homeland by a faithful God had now abandoned Him.

When was the last time you felt that way about sin? You will never be distressed like that unless you are brought there by God's Spirit in reaction to His word.

Ezra's repentance comes because he feels the greatness of the people's sin. He was so ashamed before God. He saw the comparison between the guilt and sin of the people and God's eternal holiness. The difference is so stark it triggered an immense shame within him.

Looking beyond the sin, Ezra saw a great grace from God. Greater even than the sin of the people. Here is the reason Ezra was so quick to repentance - because he knew God was forgiving and loving and that He would still be with His people. God had been using the pagan kings and emporers for His people's purposes. He had provided aid and purpose and protection out of His great grace.

The more sin there is, the more God's grace shines through.

The larger problem with the Israelite's sin was that they had rejected God whilst standing in His grace. Grace does not free us to then commit sin. What it does is make our choice to sin more serious. We choose to sin despite grace and that is a heinous thing to do. Yet Jesus made a choice to put himself in that place. The choice to be the one who sinned in that way so that we can be made holy and righteous. How can we stand in that place and still reach for sin like we do? This is the seriousness of what is going through Ezra's head here.

Dwell on the greatness of your sin compared to the greatness of God's grace. Then deep remorse will come on you. Out of that remorse can come a genuine confession and repentance.