Ezr 10:1, Now while Ezra was praying, and while HE WAS CONFESSING, WEEPING, AND BOWING DOWN BEFORE THE HOUSE OF GOD, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; FOR THE PEOPLE WEPT VERY BITTERLY.
The work of the HOLY SPIRIT is clearly seen when men are convicted of their sin and confess before the LORD!
1Jn 1:9, IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST TO FORGIVE US OUR SINS AND TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
Ezr 10:2, And Shechaniah … said to Ezra, “We have trespassed against our God, and have TAKEN PAGAN WIVES from the peoples of the land; YET NOW THERE IS HOPE IN ISRAEL IN SPITE OF THIS.
Someone said that our GOD is the GOD of second chances? YET, I’M THANKFUL THAT HE IS THE GOD OF 10TH AND 11TH CHANCES!
Ezr 10:11, Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, AND DO HIS WILL; SEPARATE YOURSELVES FROM THE PEOPLES OF THE LAND, AND FROM THE PAGAN WIVES.”
Mal 2:16, “FOR THE LORD GOD OF ISRAEL SAYS THAT HE HATES DIVORCE ,” …
Rth 1:15-16, And she said, “LOOK, YOUR SISTER-IN-LAW HAS GONE BACK TO HER PEOPLE AND TO HER GODS; … BUT RUTH SAID: … For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; YOUR PEOPLE SHALL BE MY PEOPLE, AND YOUR GOD, MY GOD.
As Ruth left her gods/idols and made the LORD her GOD, these families had the same choice!
YET, SOME WERE NOT WILLING TO DO SO AND THEY WERE SET APART!
Ezr 10:44, …SOME OF THEM HAD WIVES BY WHOM THEY HAD CHILDREN.
SIN HURTS A LOT OF PEOPLE AND MAINLY CHILDREN, BUT HE IS SEEKING GODLY OFFSPRING NOT A DIVIDED HOME! FOR WHAT FELLOWSHIP HAS RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH LAWLESSNESS? AND WHAT COMMUNION HAS LIGHT WITH DARKNESS? 2Cor 6:14