At last we have arrived at one of the most controversial passages in Ezra and Nehemiah: “And the Israelites separated themselves from all foreigners, and stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers” (9:2).

The Book of Nehemiah is comparatively reserved in raising the problem of marriages between Jews and non-Jews. (For a more forceful presentation, turn to Ezra chapters 9 and 10, especially 10:2,3,10,12,18,19.) Note that although the marriages of Jews and gentiles are the most obvious manifestation, it is the dilution of the holiness of the Jews as God’s people that is the basic concern.

Why are Ezra’s words the source of controversy for modern readers? Because his stated attitude toward non-Jews and determination to dissolve all such marriages is in sharp contrast to the example of Jesus Christ.

Jesus broke a number of fiercely-held customs in ministering to non-Jews and even, on occasion, commending them instead of his fellow Jews. Paul continued this openness to outsiders and, indeed, spent the larger part of his ministry appealing to non-Jews, calling them to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If we assume Ezra was voicing the will of God, how can we resolve this apparent conflict?

It occurs to me this conflict rests on an assumption that may be right or in error: That the purpose and will of God remains exactly the same from the time of creation to our own and on into the eons of the future.

After all, God doesn’t change His mind, does He?

As time goes by

I submit that God’s purpose remains constant, but as time goes by and the world and its peoples change, the means of achieving that purpose are altered and changed. Jesus’ world was not the same as the world of Ezra, nor our world.

We may counsel people considering mixed marriage that there are real impediments, but not necessarily immovable objects, to their union.

Just this past week I overheard a man telling someone else that prior to his marriage, he basically didn’t practice any religion, but his wife’s influence has changed all that.

Just yesterday I was talking with a friend and he reminded me of all the substantial changes – sometimes unbelievable – that have taken place in our lifetimes.

So the point is: In regard to outsiders, Ezra may have been in perfect step with God in the fourth century B.C. But Ezra is not Jesus and, if the examples of Ezra and Jesus are in seeming conflict, it is to Jesus to whom we look, not Ezra.

Still, Ezra’s concern is not totally irrelevant for our times.

There is always the possibility we will be influenced and shaped by ideas, goals and practices that are contrary to the discipleship of Jesus. If we cannot maintain our faith in those circumstances, then we would be better off to ward off those influences.

Note the great change in the Jewish community that Ezra is seeking is preceded by the people’s recognition of their sins, their confession and experience of being released from their burden. We can seldom gain the power for changing our direction until we have experienced release from our sins.

As a pastor I almost always provided in the worship services a time of quiet self-examination, a prayer of confession and pardon. I have been disappointed to find that many churches no longer include confession and assurance in their services of Holy Communion.

Why has that happened? Is it because we have moved on beyond the consciousness of sin and redemption? The only ones of us who do not need recurrent confession and pardon are those who have not and will not have sinned – and I don’t know any of those, do you?

Our acts and God’s

If you study the ninth chapter of Nehemiah you will probably notice it has two major themes: what God has done and what the people have done. Verses 6-15 acknowledge what God has done and it is all blessing and grace for the people.

Ezra recognizes the Lord as creator (9:6) and as preserver of his people Israel (9:7,8) and deliverer ( 9:9-15).

This passage beautifully illustrates the oft-repeated observation that the Jews did not try to define God; instead, they told of what God had done and was doing. All too often we get encumbered with definitions, when our witness to what God has done, is doing and will do is much more persuasive.

When we get to “what did the people do?” there is a long list and it is not commendatory: they did not obey (9:15, 29), were not mindful of God’s wonders (9:17) and wanted to return to their Egyptian slavery (9:17, 36). They also worshipped graven images, blasphemed (9:18,26) and killed God’s prophets (9:26).

Their actions were presumptuous. In contrast, God forgave them (9:17), did not forsake them (9:19), instructed them, fed them with manna, governed them with kingdoms and multiplied their descendants (9:23). What a contrast!

That is what they did and what God did. More to the point – what about us? What is God doing in our world and how are we responding?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Those with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.