Do We Grieve Over Compromise?
Ezra 9:1-3
(1) Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
(2) For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.
(3) And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied.
Ezra responded to the news of compromise and the lack of biblical separation with grief. The Authorized Version uses the word “astonied” to convey Ezra’s reaction. It is a word that carries the idea of being astonished, appalled, or made to tremble. Thus, Ezra’s reaction was one of great grief. In the following verses of the chapter, we read of his deep grief driving him to prayer and to the confession of the sins of his nation.
If there were any people who should have known better than to follow the ways of the world in their daily lives, homes, and marriages, it should have been the nation of Israel—God’s chosen people. They had been highly favored and blessed by Jehovah. He had performed many miracles on their behalf, given them overwhelming victories, and bestowed upon them great promises. Yet, they repeatedly ignored His Word, forgot His promises, and rejected His prophets. They valued the favor of the world more than the favor of God.
Yet, the church of Jesus Christ today appears to have fallen prey to the same sultry siren song of this world. Professing believers have adopted the culture of this world, abandoned the principles of biblical marriage, and repeatedly ignored God’s Word. It no longer seems to matter what God says.
Now, the question is this: When was the last time we grieved over the compromise and lack of biblical separation among God’s people? When was the last time we became so burdened over the sinful compromise of God’s people that we were driven to our knees in earnest and fervent prayer?
If we would have God’s favor and blessing upon our lives, our homes, our churches, and our nation, there must first be a time of repentance that begins at the house of God. Our God is a merciful and forgiving God. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
If we would experience the blessings of God, holiness is mandated (Hebrews 12:10–14). Thus, we must grieve over what we have done, repent of where we are, and resolve to live holy lives!
