Question 1

What is happening in this passage where Ezra weeps before God?

Accepted Answer

In this chapter, Ezra has just learned that many of the returned exiles, including some priests and Levites, have married women from nearby idolatrous nations. This breaks God’s commands for His people. Ezra is crushed by this and falls before God’s house weeping, praying, and confessing the sins of the people. His grief moves a large crowd to gather and weep as well. Out of this, the people admit their sin, talk about hope with God, and agree that something must be done to make things right.

Question 2

Why were the people’s marriages to foreign wives considered a sin here?

Accepted Answer

The problem was not simply that the wives were from other nations, but that they were from peoples who worshiped other gods. God had warned Israel not to marry into such nations because these marriages often led to idolatry and turning away from Him. In this passage, the marriages are called a trespass and described as increasing Israel’s guilt. The people understand that these unions were against God’s law and that keeping them would draw their hearts away from faithful worship and obedience.

Question 3

Why did Ezra and the leaders decide to put away the foreign wives and children?

Accepted Answer

The people themselves propose making a covenant with God to put away the wives and the children born to them, because the marriages were against God’s command. They see this as part of real repentance: not just saying sorry, but undoing what they can of the wrong that was done. This is very hard and painful, but they believe it is needed to turn away God’s fierce anger and to protect the community from sliding further into idolatry. It shows how seriously they take God’s holiness and their covenant with Him.

Question 4

How did the people carry out this repentance in a practical way?

Accepted Answer

At first, the whole crowd gathers in the cold rain, trembling over their sin and the situation. They agree with Ezra’s call to confess and separate, but they point out that the issue is too big to solve in one or two days in bad weather. So they suggest a plan: rulers and local elders would handle the cases in an ordered way, and those who had taken foreign wives would appear at set times. Ezra and chosen leaders then sit down over several months to examine each case, showing care and order in dealing with a very sensitive matter.

Question 5

What does this passage teach about real repentance and confession?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that real repentance is more than feelings. Ezra’s sorrow leads to open confession before God. The people admit, “We have trespassed” and do not hide their guilt. They also say there is hope with God, so they are not crushed into despair. Then they act: they make a covenant, swear an oath, and follow through, even when the steps are painful. Some bring a ram for a trespass offering. So repentance here includes grief over sin, honest confession, trust in God’s mercy, and concrete change.

Question 6

Who is Shechaniah, and why are his words important in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

Shechaniah is one of the sons of Jehiel, from the family of Elam. When the people are weeping with Ezra, he steps forward and speaks for them. His words are key because he clearly admits the sin, saying, “We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives.” But he also adds, “Yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.” He suggests making a covenant to put away the foreign wives according to God’s law. His speech helps move the people from sorrow into honest, hopeful action.

Question 7

What does this difficult passage show about God’s character?

Accepted Answer

God’s holiness and mercy are both seen here. His holiness appears in how seriously the sin is treated. The people fear His fierce wrath and know they cannot ignore His commands about marriage and idolatry. At the same time, there is a strong note of hope. They believe that if they confess, separate from what displeases Him, and seek to obey His law, His anger will turn away. The people’s words and actions show that they trust God is ready to forgive and restore when His people truly repent.

Question 8

Why does this passage feel so hard to understand and accept today?

Accepted Answer

This passage can feel very hard because it talks about families being broken apart, which is painful to read. The people’s choice came from a specific time, law, and situation, where these marriages clearly pulled Israel toward idol worship. Faithful readers have felt the weight of this and wrestled with it. What we can see clearly is that the text stresses God’s holiness, the danger of idolatry, the need for serious repentance, and the hope that God will receive those who turn back to Him with honest hearts.

Question 9

How might a believer today apply the lessons from this chapter?

Accepted Answer

While believers today are not in the same national situation, there are still lessons here. One is to take sin seriously, especially anything that draws the heart away from God. Another is to be willing to confess openly and not make excuses. We also see the value of leaders who mourn over sin and help guide people back to obedience. Finally, this chapter encourages us that there is hope with God. When we have turned aside, He calls us to return with honest confession and to make real changes, not just speak empty words.

Ezra 10:1

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

Shecaniah’s Encouragement

The People’s Confession of Sin

Those Guilty of Intermarriage

Shecaniah’s Encouragement

Cross References

Ezra 10:1

Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

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Shecaniah’s Encouragement

The People’s Confession of Sin

Those Guilty of Intermarriage

Shecaniah’s Encouragement

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