Perhaps the biggest reason Israel and Judah were scattered and taken captive was that they worshiped idols. Ezra and other Jewish leaders tried to keep the people from making these same mistakes again as they returned to their promised land. But, as you will read in Ezra 9–10, many Jews had married outside of the covenant, increasing the temptation to worship the gods of their spouses. As you read these two chapters, consider how you might apply what these writings teach about marrying in the covenant.
Understanding the Scriptures
Ezra 9
| Abominations (vv. 1, 11, 14) | Things that are wrong in the sight of God | |
| Holy seed (v. 2) | Covenant people | |
| Mingled (v. 2) | Intermarried | |
| Chief in this trespass (v. 2) | Leaders in doing wrong | |
| Astonied (vv. 3–4) | Surprised and saddened | |
| Heaviness (v. 5) | Heavy burden | |
| Blush (v. 6) | Humiliated | |
| Iniquities (vv. 6–7, 13) | Sins | |
| Space (v. 8) | Period of time | |
| Reviving (vv. 8–9) | Hope | |
| Affinity (v. 14) | Close relationship |
Studying the Scriptures
Do activities A and B as you study Ezra 9–10.
Interview Ezra
Imagine you are a newspaper reporter at the time of the events in Ezra 9. Choose three questions you would ask Ezra, and write how you think he would answer, based on what you read in Ezra 9.
Identify Principles of Repentance
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1.
The people listened to Ezra and many tried to be more righteous. Write in your notebook and underline in your scriptures three principles of true repentance you find in Ezra 10.
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2.
Tell why each principle you found above is important to the repentance process.
