The Remedy: Genuine Repentance

THE REMEDY:

GENUINE REPENTANCE

Ezra 10:1-44

As noted in last week’s sermon, Israel’s sin of marrying foreign women was not a matter of race, but righteousness. The commandment was given and the reasoning explained in Exodus 34:11-16 and Deuteronomy 7:1-6. The preservation of Israel’s spiritual heritage was at stake. Repeatedly when the people of Israel intermarried with pagan peoples, they inherently adopted the pagan religions and idolatries of those nations. Although there were a few exceptions, this was certainly what most often occurred. In Ezra 10, after the confession and repentance of this sin, the offenders made a clean break from their disobedience by putting away their pagan wives.

· What keeps you from making a clean break from your sins?

· What steps do you need to take to separate yourself from the temptation to continue in sin?

· Are you willing to confront family and friends who are sinning rather than defending or making excuses for them? (Example of Shecaniah in Ezra 10:2-3)

· How difficult do you think it was for the offenders to practice obedience in this matter, especially considering Ezra 10:44? (They put away their wives and children)

· What does this account teach you about the seriousness of sin and its consequences?