Ezra, 9
10. And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
10. And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,
Ezra 9 is a chapter that describes the sadness and repentance of Ezra and the people of Israel because they have mixed with other peoples and adopted their customs, disobeying God. Ezra leads a period of repentance, confession and renewal of covenant with God. Following are five verses related to the themes of this chapter:
Deuteronomy 7:3-4: "You shall not appear with them; Thou shalt not give your daughter to his son, nor take his daughter to your Son. For He will deviate your Son from me, that they may serve other gods; and the wrath of the Lord will light up against you, and quickly will destroy you. " Ezra acknowledges that the children of Israel had disobeyed this law and mixed with the peoples around them.
Nehemiah 9:1-2: "On the twenty-four of the same month the children of Israel are gathered in fasting, and with bags, and brought earth upon themselves. And the seed of Israel separated from all the strangers, and put it If they stand, and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their parents. " Ezra and the people of Israel fast and confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors.
Psalm 106:6: "We sinned like our parents, we committed iniquity, we walked badly." Ezra identifies himself with the sin of his ancestors and assumes responsibility for the sin of the people.
Jeremiah 31:19: "For after I deviated, I regretted; and after I met, I hit my thigh; I am embarrassed and confused, because I take the ignominy of my youth." Ezra and the people of Israel repent of their sins and seek God.
Psalm 41:4: "I said, Lord, have mercy on me; hea my soul, because I have sinned against you." Ezra asks God for mercy and healing to the sin of the people.
“A divina bondade não só não rejeita as almas arrependidas, como também vai em busca das almas teimosas”. São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
