O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous! For we remain this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though because of it no one can stand before You." O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous!This phrase acknowledges the righteousness of God, a central theme throughout the Bible. God's righteousness is His moral perfection and justice, which is consistently highlighted in the Old Testament (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 11:7). In the context of Ezra, this declaration comes after the realization of the people's sins, particularly intermarriage with pagan nations, which was against God's commands ( Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The acknowledgment of God's righteousness sets the stage for confession and repentance, recognizing that any judgment or discipline from God is just and deserved. For we remain this day as a remnant.
The concept of a "remnant" is significant in biblical theology, often referring to a small, faithful group preserved by God despite widespread unfaithfulness or disaster (Isaiah 10:20-22, Romans 11:5). In Ezra's time, the remnant refers to those who returned from Babylonian exile to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. This remnant is a fulfillment of God's promise to preserve a portion of His people (Jeremiah 23:3). The survival of the remnant underscores God's faithfulness and mercy, even when His people have been unfaithful. Here we are before You in our guilt,
Ezra's prayer includes a confession of guilt, acknowledging the people's sins before God. This reflects the biblical principle that confession is necessary for forgiveness and restoration (1 John 1:9, Psalm 32:5). The guilt mentioned here is specifically related to the intermarriage with foreign nations, which threatened the purity of Israel's worship and obedience to God. The phrase emphasizes the importance of coming before God with humility and honesty about one's sins. though because of it no one can stand before You.
This phrase highlights the severity of sin and its consequences. In biblical terms, to "stand before" God implies being in His presence without condemnation (Psalm 130:3, Romans 3:20). The acknowledgment that no one can stand before God due to guilt underscores the need for divine mercy and grace. It points to the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ, who enables believers to stand before God justified (Romans 5:1-2). This phrase serves as a reminder of human inability to achieve righteousness on their own and the necessity of God's intervention for redemption. Persons / Places / Events 1. EzraA scribe and priest who led a group of exiles back to Jerusalem. He was instrumental in re-establishing the Law of Moses among the people. 2. The RemnantThe group of Israelites who returned from Babylonian exile. They are described as a "remnant" because they are the small portion of the original population that survived and returned. 3. JerusalemThe city to which the exiles returned. It was the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. 4. The ExileThe period during which the Israelites were taken captive to Babylon. This was a time of punishment for their disobedience to God. 5. The LORD, God of IsraelThe covenant-keeping God who is righteous and just. He is the one to whom Ezra prays and confesses the sins of the people. Teaching Points God's RighteousnessGod's righteousness is unchanging and serves as the standard by which all are judged. Ezra acknowledges this as he confesses the sins of the people. The Importance of ConfessionConfession is a crucial step in restoring a right relationship with God. Ezra's prayer is a model of humility and recognition of sin. The Concept of the RemnantGod often works through a faithful remnant. This encourages believers to remain faithful even when they are in the minority. Human Inability to Stand Before GodWithout God's mercy, no one can stand before Him. This underscores the need for grace and the work of Christ in the New Testament. The Role of Leadership in Spiritual RenewalEzra's leadership in confessing and addressing sin highlights the responsibility of leaders to guide others in spiritual renewal. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Ezra's acknowledgment of God's righteousness challenge us in our understanding of justice and mercy? 2. In what ways can we apply the concept of confession in our personal and communal spiritual practices? 3. How does the idea of a "remnant" encourage us in our faith journey, especially when we feel isolated or in the minority? 4. What parallels can we draw between Ezra's confession and the teachings of Paul in Romans regarding sin and grace? 5. How can we, like Ezra, take on a leadership role in guiding others towards repentance and spiritual renewal in our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 26Discusses the blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience to God's laws, which is relevant to the context of Ezra's confession. Isaiah 1Speaks of the remnant and the need for repentance, similar to Ezra's plea for mercy and acknowledgment of guilt. Romans 3Highlights the universal nature of sin and the inability of anyone to stand righteous before God without His grace, echoing Ezra's acknowledgment of guilt. People Ammonites, Amorites, Canaanites, Egyptians, Hittites, Jebusites, Levites, Moabites, PerizzitesPlaces Beyond the River, Jerusalem, Judea, PersiaTopics Band, Behold, Death, Escape, Escaped, Guilt, Guiltiness, Kept, None, O, Presence, Remnant, Righteous, Righteousness, Sin, Stand, Standing, Though, Trespasses, Yet, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 9:15 1125 God, righteousness
8825 self-righteousness, and gospel Ezra 9:1-15 8466 reformation Ezra 9:4-15 6624 confession, of sin Ezra 9:13-15 6173 guilt, and God Library September 23 Morning
Our God hath not forsaken us.--EZRA 9:9. Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.--If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. The Lord …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathThe Sad Case of a Relapse into Known and Deliberate Sin, after Solemn Acts Op Dedication to God and Some Progress Made in Religion.
1. Unthought of relapses may happen.--2. And bring the soul into a miserable case.--3. Yet the case is not desperate.--4. The backslider urged immediately to return, by deep humiliation before God for so aggravated an offence.--5. By renewed regards to the divine mercy in Christ.--6. By an open profession of repentance, where the crime hath given public offence.--7. Falls to be reviewed for future caution.--8. The chapter concludes with a prayer for the use of one who hath fallen into gross sins, …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Prayer.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRAYER. WHAT is prayer? A sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God hath promised. The best prayers have often more groans than words. Alas, how few there be in the world whose heart and mouth in prayer shall go together. Dost thou, when thou askest for the Spirit, or faith, or love to God, to holiness, to saints, to the word, and the like, ask for them with love to them, …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
1. Here it is advised--that afflictions should only be expected.--2. That the righteous hand of God should be acknowledged in them when they come.--3. That they should be borne with patience.--4. That the divine conduct in them should be cordially approved.--5. That thankfulness should be maintained in the midst of trials.--6. That the design of afflictions should be diligently inquired into, and all proper assistance taken in discovering it.--7. That, when it is discovered, it should humbly be complied …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in Such an Engagement in War, and Associate with the Malignant Party.
That It Is Not Lawful For The Well Affected Subjects To Concur In Such An Engagement In War, And Associate With The Malignant Party. Some convinced of the unlawfulness of the public resolutions and proceedings, in reference to the employing of the malignant party, yet do not find such clearness and satisfaction in their own consciences as to forbid the subjects to concur in this war, and associate with the army so constituted. Therefore it is needful to speak something to this point, That it is …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Letter xx. Self-Examination.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith: prove your own selves."--2 COR. 13:6. MY DEAR SISTER, In view of the positive injunction of Scripture, above quoted, no argument is necessary to show that self-examination is a duty. But if the word of God had been silent upon the subject, the importance of self-knowledge would have been a sufficient motive for searching into the secret springs of action which influence our conduct. A person ignorant of his own heart, is like a merchant, who knows …
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females The Careless Sinner Awakened.
1, 2. It is too supposable a case that this Treatise may come into such hands.--3, 4. Since many, not grossly vicious, fail under that character.--5, 6. A more particular illustration of this case, with an appeal to the reader, whether it be not his own.--7 to 9. Expostulation with such.--10 to 12. More particularly--From acknowledged principles relating to the Nature of Got, his universal presence, agency, and perfection.--13. From a view of personal obligations to him.--14. From the danger Of this …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Of Love to God
I proceed to the second general branch of the text. The persons interested in this privilege. They are lovers of God. "All things work together for good, to them that love God." Despisers and haters of God have no lot or part in this privilege. It is children's bread, it belongs only to them that love God. Because love is the very heart and spirit of religion, I shall the more fully treat upon this; and for the further discussion of it, let us notice these five things concerning love to God. 1. The …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Ezra 9:15 NIVEzra 9:15 NLTEzra 9:15 ESVEzra 9:15 NASBEzra 9:15 KJV
Ezra 9:15 Commentaries
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