CENTRAL THOUGHT
Souls will be drawn to God when believers are alive (active, fervent) in the Spirit.
TEXT: EZRA 10:1-17
INTRODUCTION:
In last week’s lesson, our focus was on revival. Ezra first experienced a personal revival by saturating himself with the word of God and spending time in prayers. Revival is a time in which we experience a deep sense of remorse, guilt, and pain for our sins. Repentance/ confession, and forsaking of the same, leads to a refreshing experience of the healing work of the Holy Spirit. Thus, personal cleansing from sin, restoration to fellowship with the Lord, and the blessings of His peace, joy, and victory can be experienced by the individual believer who avails himself of God’s gracious provisions. We can experience this daily as we give ourselves to the studying of and obedience to the Word.
Ezra was a scribe who gave himself to the public reading and teaching of the Word of God. His teachings led to the repentance of the people so that they were ready to do away with the strange wives and the off springs that came by such union. As we conclude our study on the character of Ezra, we shall examine in this lesson those character traits that made him to succeed as a priest and revivalist.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
This lesson is intended to accomplish the following objectives:
- To discover and learn from the afflictions of Ezra in God’s presence
- To understand that repentance involves taking positive actions
- To establish that there is hope for the repentant person
- To appreciate the results of a revival in an individual and church
- To discover the lessons we can learn from the character of Ezra
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF EZRA’S SELF AFFLICTION IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD?
Ezra’s self-affliction, remorse, and confession in the presence of God led to the confession of sin, repentance, contrition, and a religious awakening by the people. in verse one of our text, we see that after he had confessed their sins, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, that a very great congregation of men, women, and children gathered before him and wept deeply for their sins. Thus, there was a great remorse amongst the people. The people were struck with guilt and pain as a result of their disobedience to the word of God. They acknowledged their sin and decided to do something about it.
In the book of Acts 2:37, we see the response of the crowd that gathered in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. On hearing the words of Peter, they were pricked in their heart and said to Peter, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
When we are truly and genuinely sorry for our sins, it must promote a response from us to repent and forsake it. Most people acknowledge their sins; even go as far as confessing them but fall short of repentance because they are not ready or willing to pay the price for repentance. Confessions is not enough; we must make concrete efforts to stop the sin and deal with the consequences.
QUESTION 2) DISCUSS THE ACTIONS WE MUST TAKE IN REPENTANCE.
The solution to their disobedience was not just in the wailing and feeling of guilt and remorse, it required a positive action. The people must act to remove the sin and the results of the sin. The disobedient would have to separate from their foreign wives and children. Three months of investigation later, 111 men got their lives right (10:18-44). As far as Ezra was concerned the people must do away with those marriages that were against the Word of God. Let us say here that this was not an easy step by those concerned. Repentance in several cases requires taking tough, painful, and at times, unpleasant decisions.
We would like to recall the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matt. 18:8-9, that we must do away with any part of our body that causes us to sin. In other words, we must take drastic measures in order to not repeat the sins again. Jesus said that it is better to make heaven without a leg or hand than to have our entire complete body and go to hell. There should be no sacrifice too big to make in order to live a life
of obedience to God. We must do away with all attitudes, habits, and activities that are detrimental to our spiritual wellbeing. We should not enter or maintain any relation, even with our parents or family members, if they will lead us to disobey the word of God. The people were ready to do away with their foreign wives, so also, we must do away with any ‘foreign wife’ (in business, schools, neighborhood, church, home, etc.) in our lives if we are to experience the daily refreshing presence of God’s Spirit.
QUESTION 3) WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHECHANIAH’S STATEMENT? (Ezra 10:2)
As the crowd was weeping over their disobedience, Shechaniah spoke up and said “there is still hope for
Israel”. This was a very significant statement indeed, signifying the fact that God has not completely abandoned His people. We draw inspiration from such statements to know that there is still hope for us if only we will repent from our sins. Disobedience is serious to God, but when we repent, forgiveness and restoration is still available. Let us spend time to meditate over the following scriptures:
- “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”. Isa 55:7
- “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?”. Ezek. 18:31
- “Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”.
Micah 7:18: - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousnes”. 1 John 1:9 There is hope for both the sinner and the fallen believer.
What God desires of us is to have a change of heart and return to Him. The sin is not as painful to Him as our refusal or unwillingness to repent and change. Like Ezekiel puts it, why will ye die O child of God or fail to experience the refreshing presence and work of the Holy Spirit? - QUESTION 4) WHAT ARE SOME OF THE RESULTS OF A REVIVAL IN THE LIFE OF AN INDIVIDUAL AND THE CHURCH?
The revival that took place in the days of Ezra led to a renewal of worship in Jerusalem and obedience to the word of God. It left a profound impact upon the lives of the people. Similarly, when we experience revival there are positive results both in the life of the individual believer and the church.
For the individual, there is a renewed burden and desire to pray. We find prayers not just a necessity but something we enjoy and find rewarding. We also receive a refreshed interest in the Word. We want to spend hours meditating on scripture because we are receiving fresh revelations through the Holy Spirit. There is a renewed burden, interest, and zeal for lost souls. The spirit of compassion that was in Christ becomes real and alive in our spirits. Another result or revival in the individual is that there is a feeling of deep love for our fellow believers. Significantly, also is a deep and genuine hatred for sin. Sin and anything sinful becomes repulsive, unattractive, and detestable.
There is a renewed determination to obey and live in conformity to His will and His word. Revival will also bring out an increase in our giving to God’s work as individuals.
The most significant result for the church is the salvation of souls. On the day of Pentecost, the scripture records that 3,000 souls were added to the church. Thus, revival results in tremendous church growth as there is a renewed interest in evangelism amongst the people. there will not only be numerical growth, there will also be spiritual and financial growth, as the people become more committed and faithful.
There is increased love and unity among the members, less bickering and rivalry. Just as it was in the early church, the people had everything in common because they love and trust each other.
QUESTION 5.) DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTER TRAITS OF EZRA AND TH DERIVABLE CHALLENGES. A teacher and doer God’s word (Ezra 7:10). Ezra “prepared his heart to seek the law of God and to do it, and to teach in Israel statues and judgement”. Ezra desired to teach his people God’s laws. He knew that before one can be a teacher that person must be versed in that which he/she
is to teach. He also knew that what one teaches must be seen in the life of the teacher. Thus, as teachers and leaders of God’s people let us study to make ourselves approved by both God and man (2 Tim. 2:15). Furthermore, let our lives reflect and be examples of the things we teach (Rom. 2:21- 23). *A faithful steward (Ezra 7:13-20, 1 Cor. 4:2). The king had so much confidence and trust in Ezra that he entrusted him with all the resources needed for the rebuilding of the temple and worship in Jerusalem. Ezra proved himself faithful by not diverting any of the resources to his personal use. Faithfulness is one of the fruits of the Spirit. The Bible says that “It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful”. Let us endeavor to be faithful with all that is put under our care because if man
does not call us to account, God will one day. We are stewards of our time, money, home, and life. *A man of prayer (Ezra 8:21,23;10:1). Ezra was a man of prayers. He prayed with fasting before they embarked on the journey to Jerusalem. When he was told about the sin of the people he knelt down to pray. Prayer must be an integral part of God’s people. Let us not take any action or take any significant decision without first seeking God’s face. When we are prayerful, we are able to walk and live in the spirit. Prayer guarantees our success. *A man of faith (Ezra 8:22). Ezra demonstrated his faith in God by refusing to ask the king for a band of soldiers to protect them on their journey to Jerusalem. Ezra was well aware of the inherent dangers along the way and the money and goods he was carrying surely would be an attraction to thieves and robbers. However, he believed that his God controls the universe and that He was able to protect him and his entourage. And God did protect them!
As believers, our faith for every issue of our lives must rest on our God. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above that which we ask or think (Eph. 3:20). *Self-denial (Ezra 10:6). Ezra set himself apart from the rest of the people where he continued to fast, pray, and mourn over the unfaithfulness of the exile returnees. Ezra did not excuse himself from the sins of the people but rather identified with them all the way. As teachers and leaders, can we set ourselves apart to pray and fast for our class or congregation? Let us not just be teachers or pastors, but we should identify with our members in their travail and problems. Doing that will show that we are Christ’s.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Ezra’s self-affliction resulted in the remorse and consequent repentance of the disobedient. They had to take a very painful decision to put away their foreign wives and offspring. Repentance is more than just being sorry or remorseful for our sins. It involves taking very drastic and often painful and unpleasant decisions and actions. We must make a clean break with that sin or habit in order to fully appropriate God’s mercy and pardon. There was hope for the Israelites because of their decision to obey the word of God. Similarly, there is hope for anyone who will genuinely repent from his/her sins (Prov. 28:13).
The revival resulted in the people making peace with God. The results of revival include being filled with a new desire to pray, fresh interest in the Word, burden for lost souls, deeper love for fellow Christians, and a genuine hatred for sin. Where do you stand in relation to these? These things
must be in us daily as believers because the Holy Spirit dwells in us.
MEMORY VERSE:
ISAIAH 1:16
“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: The implication of repentance. Ezra 10:1-22; Matt.
18:8-9
TUE: Mercy for the repentant. Isa. 55:7; Micah 7:18; 1
John 1:9
WED: A teacher and a doer of the Word. Deut. 5:29; 2
Kings 18:6; Ezra 7:10; James 1:25
THU: A faithful steward. Ezra 7:13-20; Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor.
4:2; 1 Peter 4:4-5
FRI: A man of prayer. 1 Chron. 16:11; Ezra 8:21-23, 10:1;
Eph. 6:18; James 3:13
SAT: A man of faith. 1 Sam. 17:37; Ezra 8:22; Psa. 37:3;
Isa. 50:10