PlayNtheGray

I do not know the correct way to respond to the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. I am not sure if a “right way” exists. I’ll preface my thoughts by saying that I am currently bent towards criticism of the church and its priests who bear God’s word. I am not arrogant enough to believe that I am not included in this assembly which is why I am so judgmental. We have to do better. That being said, I’ll continue. Genesis 12:2 is one of my most favorite verses. Summing up the call of God’s people, it says, “I will make of you a great nation and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing.” We have lost sight of this calling as we get caught up in our hype. The songs that we write, the prayers that we pray, the lessons that we teach and the buildings that we erect begin as vehicles to glorify God. Then, somehow we lose sight of Him in self-aggrandizement as if by following Him we deserve a standing ovation. I understand the hearts of these returning exiles. I sense the burden of Nehemiah and Ezra in re-establishing and keeping the law. In Nehemiah 8 the people are encouraged to rejoice and not weep. Verse 12 says that “they had understood the words that were declared to them.” They even spent a fourth of a day in confession and worship. How awesome would it be if the word of God convicted the people of God in such a way on a Sunday morning or some random Friday afternoon; when the people really do understand the gravity of God’s Word? However, in an attempt to be found right by God Ezra and Nehemiah both encourage that the people be purged of foreigners. These foreigners were the wives and children of Israelite men. After all, it is the law. I read that and thought, “What a great time to decide to follow!” Nehemiah even argues with and beats some of them concerning their unclean, unholy, foreign families. Ezra 10:44 says, “All these had married foreign women and they sent them away with their children.” Where are these women and children supposed to go? What kind of inside-out double exilic punishment is this; the will of God? It is heartbreaking, unfair and just plain wrong. It doesn’t sound like God to me and I cannot mesh these actions with call of service in Genesis 12:2.