Return and Rebuild - Lesson 5
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class examined Ezra chapters 9 and 10, focusing on the crisis of intermarriage that had arisen among the returned exiles in Jerusalem. Beginning with Deuteronomy 7:1‑6, Clint Davison reminded the group of God’s original command to destroy the nations occupying the Promised Land and to avoid marital alliances that would lead Israel astray. He then turned to Ezra 9:1‑2, where the leaders reported that priests, Levites, and the people had taken foreign wives, contaminating the holy seed. The teacher highlighted Ezra’s visceral reaction—tearing his garments, pulling out his hair, and falling in profound grief—demonstrating the depth of his sorrow for the nation’s sin. The lesson then focused on Ezra’s prayer in verse 6, a remarkable expression of collective humility and responsibility. Ezra confessed the people’s iniquities, acknowledging that their guilt rose to the heavens, and begged for God’s mercy. The class discussed how this model of repentance contrasts with anger or blame, emphasizing a heart‑felt turning to God. Throughout, the discussion linked the ancient warnings to modern concerns about spiritual purity and covenant faithfulness, urging believers to examine their own lives in light of God’s standards.
Key Scriptures
Because after these things had been done, the leaders approached me, Ezra, and said, The people of Israel, the priests and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, the Hethites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. Indeed, the Israelite men have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons so that the holy seed has become mixed with the surrounding peoples.
My God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face toward you. My God, because of our iniquities, because our iniquities are higher than our heads and our guilt is as high as the heavens.