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This is the final chapter of Ezra, and in reaching this point one cannot fail to think that it is a bit of an anti-climax...the Israelites have wonderful faith and leadership and build the temple, then end up marrying outside of the Israelites - the book finishes with a list of those who inter-married! Not the most instantly rousing stuff but I believe that all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable so we will stufy this passage together and finish our time in the book of Ezra before starting a new journey next week. Before then, however, let's allow God to change us by His word:

'A very great assembly' (Ezra 10:1)

Right at the beginning of this chapter we see how much of a leader Ezra is. John C. Maxwell adores the phrase 'leadership is influence', and Ezra's influence here is enormous. As he begins to mourn and weep, the Bible says that 'a very great assembly' went out to join him and 'wept bitterly'. If you are reading this and are a leader then I believe a lesson is here to be learnt, to feel more emotions for those in your flock; when was the last time you wept over your people's sin?

Also, if you are not a leader then when did you show such devotion to your leadership? When was the last time you simply went out, 'sat' with your leadership and 'wept bitterly', or whatever was appropriate? Leadership is a difficult thing; it is very rewarding, yet carries the weight of responsibility and just that occasional e-mail saying, 'do you know how great you are, and how much you inspire me?' is a wonderful use of your time, I guarantee it!

Gathering of the exiles (Ezra 10:7-8)

What then happens is that a proclamation is made to all the Israelites, essentially saying that if they didn't all turn up, they would lose their birthright. This point could be an entire series on its own, but I will endeavour to do it what justice I can in this short space. As a Christian, it is of monumentous importance to regularly gather corporately for worship, prayer, teaching, confession and so on. There is a feeling in Christianity today that you can be a lone ranger, reading the Bible every day and telling people about Jesus but without being a part of a local church. I would like to ask the question biblically, 'can you actually be a Christian without being a committed member of a local church?' This passage would say that those who are not committed to 'meeting regularly' (also see Hebrews 10:25 for a more specific example) would lose their status as one of 'the exiles' (that is, the Israelites). Israel in the Old Testament is synonymous with the church in the New Testament so let's do what God wants and commit to the local church - have a read of some Bill Hybels to find out why 'the local church is the hope of the world'!

Individual and corporate confession (Ezra 10:16-17)

The next part of this passage appears to be a juxtaposition; the whole of Israel must confess their sins together, yet they must do it personally, one at a time, each one working through their own issues. This is a beautifully timely message to receive in terms of the season my church is currently facing in that we have received the wonderful gift of one-to-one prayer sessions with a remarkably gifted lady. Here's the point anyway: it is a biblical principle that we confess our sins to one another (James 5:16) so I think that there is a challenge to us all that we should gather people around us that we can be accountable to, and pray things through with in order that we too 'may be healed'.

Those guilty of internarriage (Ezra 10:18-44)

Now here's the real challenge. The book of Ezra literally finishes with just a list of sinners' names. I think that there are many truths we could see in this but I'd like to just look at one, particularly because this is the final passage in this book.

We are reading the Word of God, the book in which God has chosen to reveal Himself to us, and who shares the pages with Him but a list of filthy sinners? We, too, have sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard (Romans 3:23) and our names are written in the Book of LIfe. We have the opportunity in our lifetimes to either use the talents God has given us to impact the future, or squander them on trivial things - the choice is essentially ours. In heaven I want us all to be greeted by Jesus and hear those words, 'well done, good and faithful servant.' I want our names to be part of the 'list of sinners' who are counted as righteous on that day! Let's live with an eternal perspective and glorify God today.

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Character