Ezra made Judah repent

Bible verse : Ezra 9:5-6 (NIV)

Then, at the evening sacrifice, I rose from my self-abasement, with my tunic and cloak torn, and fell on my knees with my hands spread out to the LORD my God and prayed: "O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.

The nation of Judah was severely punished by God for not living according to God's Word. God allowed them to be destroyed by Babylon. Judah lost his country and lived in captivity in Babylon for 70 years.

Loving God promised that Judah would be restored through Jeremiah.
Jeremiah said that God would restore them after 70 years of captivity in Babylon.
The people of Judah believed this word of promise and did not forget God and served God in that land.

As promised, God allowed them to return to the land of Judah after 70 years.
Those who returned to Judah in the first round were close to 50,000.
They were the first to restore God's temple. Even in the midst of difficulties, they united with Zerubbabel and rebuilt God's temple and gave glory to God.

After a while, 1754 people returned to Judah under the leadership of Ezra.
Ezra was a very good scholar in the law of Moses.
When Ezra arrived in Judah, the leaders of Judah came to Ezra.

They informed Ezra that Judah was not living uprightly before God.
This is what they said to Ezra. “The Israelites, the priests, and the Levites are still unable to live a life separate from the other nations around us.
We Israelites are doing the same disgusting things as other nations.”

They went on to say what disgusting things God had forbidden them to do.
“The Israelites took the daughters of other nations as wives and daughters-in-law.
The leaders and officials of Israel took the lead in this rather.”
Upon hearing this, Ezra was greatly shocked.

Ezra was so angry that he tore his outer garment and undergarment.
Then he sat down and threw himself away, tearing at his own hair and beard.
News of Ezra's great anger was reported to the people.

Among those who heard the news of Ezra, those who were afraid of the word of God gathered around Ezra. Ezra sat motionless until the time of the evening sacrifice.

When it was time for the evening sacrifice, Ezra got up.
Ezra knelt in front of the temple, tearing off her outer garment and underwear.

He raised his hands and told Jehovah God in detail about the sins the people of      Judah had sinned against God's law, and wept and prayed with a loud voice.

Many people who saw Ezra weeping and praying in front of the temple gathered around him. They wept loudly and prayed with Ezra.

One of them, Shecaniah, confessed their sins and said to Ezra.
“We have sinned against God. We made the mistake of marrying women of other nations that God forbade. Get up now and make amends. We will help with this.”

Ezra told all the people to gather within 3 days. On the third day at Ezra's command, all the people gathered in front of the temple.
It was a day when rain poured down from the sky. The people stood in the rain without moving even if they knew that their sins were too great.

Ezra told them. “You have sinned. You disobeyed the word of God and married non-Jewish women. and thus made the sins of Israel greater.
Now confess your sins to the Lord your God and do His will.
Separate your foreign wives, who are not Jewish.”

After hearing Ezra's words, the people gathered there spoke with one voice.
“You are right. we have sinned. Whatever the leaders decide, we will follow. ”
On that day, the promised people repented of their sins of breaking God's Word and parted ways with foreign wives.

The people of Judah who followed the right faith that one man had had a perfect relationship with God restored.
Those who are saved have the responsibility to follow God's laws. Although we live on earth, we must follow the laws that the people of heaven must abide by.
We should also take the time to look back at ourselves through the Word today.
Just as Ezra was heartbroken, we must look back to see if there are parts within us that do not live according to God's Word. And I hope that you will repent of your wrong sins, turn to God, and restore yourself as a saved child of God.