“Now while EZRA (the priest) 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. And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, spoke up and said to Ezra, “We have TRESPASSED (mâ‛al: to act unfaithfully) 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. Now therefore, let us make a covenant with our God to PUT AWAY ALL THESE WIVES and those who have been born to them, according to the advice of my master and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and LET IT BE DONE according to the law.” (Ezra 10:1-3)
“…among the sons of the priests who had TAKEN PAGAN WIVES the following were found of the sons of Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. And they gave their promise that they would PUT AWAY THEIR WIVES; and being guilty, they presented a ram of the flock as their trespass offering.” (Ezra 10:18-19)
Ezra said to them, “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.” Then all the assembly answered and said with a loud voice, “YES! As you have said, SO WE MUST DO.” (Ezra 10:11-12) And they gave their promise that THEY WOULD PUT AWAY THEIR WIVES; and being guilty, they presented a ram of the flock as their trespass offering. And THEY DID INDEED PUT AWAY THEIR WIVES.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham