EZRA 10

EZRA’S DECISION REGARDING INTERMARRIAGE

After Ezra addresses the Israelites’ rebellion in marrying foreign wives, the people of Jerusalem weep over their sinful ways and acknowledge their tendency to stray from God’s law. Some of the men who address Ezra believe that there is hope for Israel in spite of this sin.

Despite the Israelites breaking the law regarding marriage among these nations (Deuteronomy 7), God does not command or require divorce for these couples. Upon his own authority, Ezra has many of the men separate from their foreign wives and records the names of those guilty of intermarriage.

This book ends on an odd and anticlimactic note. Ezra has a deep knowledge and understanding of the law, but does not ask for God’s direction on this situation, leading him to make a harsh decision that goes against what God says regarding divorce (Malachi 2:16, Mark 10:2-12, Matthew 5:31-32). Ezra’s actions highlight the complexities of interpreting and applying religious law to real-life situations.