THE MERCY OF GOD
Ezra gave an outward sign of repentance by tearing his clothes and pulling hair from his head and beard (Ezr 9:3). He then offered a prayer of repentance by recounting the faithless history of Israel. But he also acknowledged that despite their sin, God had shown favor in more recent events, particularly the return of the remnant and the reconstruction of the temple. Despite God's favor, the returned exiles sinned by intermarrying with the inhabitants of the land, just as the people of Israel had done when they first entered the promised land after the exodus from Egypt (Ezr 9:1 - 2; Jdg 3:5 - 6). Even some of the priests had married foreign women (Ezr 10:18). The problem with the marriages was not race; it was religion. God's chosen people had married idolaters who did not worship the true God. And yet, following Ezra's prayer of confession, the people followed Ezra's lead and began to confess their sins in front of the temple (10:1).
This scene of repentance reflected a request Solomon had made of God long ago: that God would be merciful and forgive his rebellious, exiled people if they turned toward the temple and confessed their sins (1Ki 8:46 - 51). Despite the Israelites' continual disobedience, God remained incredibly merciful to them. The situation for believers today is different from ancient Israel. The church does not pray toward a temple made with bricks and mortar. Rather, God's people pray to the new temple - Jesus of Nazareth (Jn 2:21). And when they do, he is faithful to forgive their sins (1Jn 1:9).
Jesus, you are the God of second chances. Thank you for the gift of repentance. If ever I hesitate to repent of a sin, please pull me back toward you. Amen.
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