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NASB | Ezra 9:2 "For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands; indeed, the hands of the princes and the rulers have been foremost in this unfaithfulness." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ezra 9:2 "For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has intermingled with the peoples of the lands. Indeed, the officials and chief men have been foremost in this unfaithful act and direct violation [of God's will]." [Deut 7:3, 4] |
Subject: Intermarriage |
Bible Note: PART 3 5) As Ezra continues to misapply scripture in his prayer and address to the nation, we come to verse 12. "So now do not give your daughters to their sons nor take their daughters to your sons, and never seek their peace or their prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good things of the land and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever." *** Let's contrast this verse with an actual command from God, found in Jeremiah 29:6-9. "Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. 'Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.'"For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. 'For they prophesy falsely to you in My name; I have not sent them,' declares the LORD." --- Is this not the exact opposite of what Ezra is suggesting, followed by an ironic warning against a different message than this? Isn't it ironic that Ezra and Jeremiah both use 'shalom' (peace, well-being, prosperity), but in opposite commands? Which do we honor as God's revelation- Ezra's opinion, or Jeremiah's 'thus says the LORD?' I would take Jeremiah here. FOUR MORE VERSES, AND THEN I AM DONE. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LONG POST, BUT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. :-) 6) Now, let's go to chapter 10 verses 2 and 3. "Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, said to Ezra, 'We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.'" AND ALSO VERSES 11 and 12. "Now therefore, make confession to the LORD God of your fathers and do His will; and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land and from the foreign wives.' Then all the assembly replied with a loud voice, 'That's right! As you have said, so it is our duty to do.'" *** A couple of things need to pointed out here: Sheconiah seems to think he has a good idea here, and the people believe his words (again, like Jeremiah spoke of). However, it is intersting that THE ONLY PROPHET to EVER speak about mixed marriages is Malachi. Read ALL of Malachi chapter 2 in context and see what God thinks about it. *** Now, in verse 11, the people are told to separate (the term that later became the word for pharisee) from their wives...They are told to DIVORCE them!!! Is this from God? May it Never Be! --- Already we have seen in Malachi that God Hates Divorce! Let's also look to Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7. I will not quote the whole chapter, BUT READ IT. You know these verses! God would have never commanded the people to do ANY of the things found in Ezra 9 and 10! This passage it a representation of man's failure, and his abiblity to twist God's word into his own desires. I strongly believe that Ezra and the others are mistaken. They are SINCERE, but SINCERELY WRONG. ischus |