Ezra 10:19

They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.

Study Bible

They pledged to send their wives away
This phrase refers to the Israelites' commitment to separate from foreign wives, which was a response to the intermarriage issue that had led them away from God's laws. The context is the post-exilic period when Ezra led a reform to restore the community's faithfulness to the covenant. The sending away of foreign wives was a drastic measure to ensure the purity of the Israelite community, aligning with Deuteronomy 7:3-4, which warns against intermarriage with pagan nations due to the risk of idolatry. This action reflects a deep repentance and desire to return to God's commands.

and for their guilt
The acknowledgment of guilt indicates a recognition of sin and a need for atonement. In the Old Testament, guilt often required a sacrificial offering to restore the relationship with God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of sin, repentance, and atonement, which is central to the covenant relationship between God and His people. The community's collective guilt highlights the seriousness of their transgression and the need for communal repentance.

they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering
The offering of a ram as a guilt offering is rooted in Levitical law, specifically Leviticus 5:14-19, which outlines the requirements for a guilt offering. This type of offering was meant to atone for unintentional sins or sins requiring restitution. The choice of a ram signifies the value and seriousness of the offering, as rams were considered valuable animals. This act of sacrifice prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is often typified as the Lamb of God, providing the final atonement for sin. The offering underscores the necessity of blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, a theme that runs throughout the Bible and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Ezra
A scribe and priest who led the second group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in the spiritual and religious reform of the Jewish community.

2. Israelite Men
The men who had married foreign women, which was against the Mosaic Law. They are the ones making the pledge in this verse.

3. Foreign Wives
The non-Israelite women whom the Israelite men had married, leading to the need for repentance and reform.

4. Jerusalem
The central place of worship and the location where these events and reforms were taking place.

5. Guilt Offering
A specific type of sacrifice in the Levitical law meant to atone for certain sins, indicating the seriousness of their transgression.

Teaching Points

Repentance and Obedience
The Israelite men recognized their sin and took concrete steps to rectify it. True repentance involves both acknowledgment of sin and action to correct it.

The Importance of Purity
The command to send away foreign wives was about maintaining spiritual purity and obedience to God's commands. This teaches us the importance of aligning our lives with God's standards.

Sacrificial Atonement
The offering of a ram as a guilt offering underscores the necessity of atonement for sin. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who atones for our sins.

Community Accountability
The community's involvement in this process highlights the role of accountability in spiritual growth and reform.

Covenant Faithfulness
The Israelites' actions were a return to covenant faithfulness, reminding us of the importance of keeping our commitments to God.

Bible Study Questions

1. What steps did the Israelite men take to demonstrate their repentance, and how can we apply similar steps in our own lives when we recognize sin?

2. How does the concept of a guilt offering in the Old Testament relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in the New Testament?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our relationships, particularly marriage, align with biblical principles?

4. How can the community of believers help hold each other accountable in maintaining spiritual purity and obedience?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to make a difficult decision to align your life with God's commands. What was the outcome, and how did it affect your faith journey?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Leviticus 5
Discusses the guilt offering, providing context for its significance and requirements.

Deuteronomy 7
Warns against intermarriage with foreign nations, which is the root issue addressed in Ezra 10.

Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah also deals with the issue of intermarriage, showing the ongoing struggle to maintain purity and obedience to God's law.

1 Corinthians 7
Offers New Testament guidance on marriage, emphasizing the importance of spiritual unity.