Chapter 51—Ezra Sparks a Spiritual Revival

Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem brought courage and hope to many who had long labored under difficulties. Since the return of the first exiles more than seventy years before, much had been accomplished. The temple had been finished, the walls of the city had been partially repaired. Yet much remained undone.SS 320.1

Many of the exiles had remained true to God, but a considerable number of the children and grandchildren lost sight of the sacredness of God's law. Even some entrusted with responsibilities were living in open sin. Their course was largely neutralizing efforts to advance the cause of God, for so long as flagrant violations of the law were unrebuked, the blessing of Heaven could not rest on the people.SS 320.2

Those who returned with Ezra had had special seasons of seeking the Lord. Their journey from Babylon, unprotected by any human power, had taught them rich spiritual lessons. Many had grown strong in faith, and as these mingled with the discouraged and indifferent in Jerusalem, their influence was a powerful factor in the reform soon instituted.SS 320.3

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 so far disregarded the holy commands of Jehovah as to intermarry with the surrounding peoples. “They have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons,” Ezra was told, “so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people” of heathen lands; “yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.” Ezra 9:1, 2.SS 320.4

Ezra had learned that Israel's apostasy was largely traceable to their mingling with heathen nations. He had seen that if they had kept separate, they would have been spared many sad experiences. Now when he learned that men of prominence had dared transgress the laws given as a safeguard against apostasy, his heart was stirred. He was overwhelmed with righteous indignation. “When I heard this, I rent my garment and my mantle ... . Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered round me.” Verses 3, 4, RSV.SS 321.1

At the time of the evening sacrifice Ezra fell on his knees and unburdened his soul to Heaven. “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to Thee,” he exclaimed. Verse 6. “From the days of our fathers to this day we have been in great guilt; and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been given into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plundering, and to utter shame, as at this day.” “For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended to us His steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.” “Shall we break Thy commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations?” Verses 7, 9, 14, RSV.SS 321.2