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.RR 218.1

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.RR 218.2

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.RR 218.3

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 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.RR 218.4

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 at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive.” Verses 3, 4.RR 218.5

At the time of the evening sacrifice Ezra fell on his knees and unburdened his heart to Heaven. “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift up my face to You,” he exclaimed. “Since the days of our fathers to this day we have been very guilty, and for our iniquities we, our kings, and our priests have been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, to plunder, and to humiliation, as it is this day.” “For we were slaves. Yet our God did not forsake us in our bondage; but He extended mercy to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to revive us, to repair the house of our God, to rebuild its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judea and Jerusalem.” “Should we again break Your commandments, and join in marriage with the people committing these abominations?” Verses 7, 9, 14.RR 218.6