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 April 11

Lesson 6 (KJV)

The Faith-in-Action Preacher

Devotional Reading: Ezekiel 18:25–32

Background Scripture: Ezra 9–10

Ezra 10:1–12

1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

2 And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.

3 Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

4 Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

5 Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.

6 Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.

7 And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;

8 And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.

9 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.

10 And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel.

11 Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

12 Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do.

Key Verse

Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.—Ezra 10:6

Prophets Faithful to God’s Covenant

Unit 2: Prophets of Restoration

Lessons 5–8

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. Summarize Ezra’s reaction to the people’s sin.

2. Explain why intermarriage with foreigners caused Ezra grief.

3. Write a confession to God for a specific sin and a corresponding course of repentant action.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. The Way of Escape

B. Lesson Context

I. Conviction of Sin (Ezra 10:1–4)

A. Confession and Weeping (v. 1)

The Power of Confession

B. Covenant and Courage (vv. 2–4)

II. Call to Appear (Ezra 10:5–8)

A. Everyone Promises (v. 5)

B. Ezra Mourns (v. 6)

C. Proclamation Issued (vv. 7–8)

III. Call to Action (Ezra 10:9–12)

A. Fearful People (v. 9)

B. Fearless Preacher (vv. 10–11)

C. Faithful Practice (v. 12)

“Good Sermon Today, Preacher!”

Conclusion

A. Content with Mere Conviction?

B. Prayer

C. Thought to Remember

HOW TO SAY IT

Assyrian	Uh-sear-ee-un.
Babylonian	Bab-ih-low-nee-un.
Cyrus	Sigh-russ.
Eliashib	E-lye-uh-shib.
Hezekiah	Hez-ih-kye-uh.
Jehiel	Jay-hi-eel.
Johanan	Jo-hay-nan.
Josiah	Jo-sigh-uh.
Nebuchadnezzar	Neb-yuh-kud-nez-er.
Nehemiah	Nee-huh-my-uh.
Shechaniah	She-kawn-yay.

What Do You Think? What factors must be present for you to truly regret your sins and repent of them? Digging Deeper Are those factors the same for all Christians? Why, or why not?

What Do You Think? When considering Ezra 10:3 alongside Exodus 34:16; 1 Kings 11:4; Matthew 5:32; Romans 7:1–3; 1 Corinthians 7:12–14, 39; 2 Corinthians 6:14; and 1 Timothy 5:8, how should Christians react to similar situations today? Digging Deeper What other texts and contexts are relevant?

What Do You Think? In what ways can you better support a fellow Christian in taking action to repent of sins? Digging Deeper How would that action differ, if at all, when dealing with sin of a group?

What Do You Think? What leadership role are you gifted to exercise when dealing with communal, collective sin? Digging Deeper What leadership actions in this regard should be personal and private rather than public?

What Do You Think? In what kinds of situations would collective, communal reactions be more appropriate than private, individual reactions? Digging Deeper How do 1 Corinthians 5:1–2, 9–13 and 2 Corinthians 2:5–11 help frame your answer?

Conclusion

A. Content with Mere Conviction?

One of the great gifts for Christian instruction in the Old Testament is seeing episode after episode of Israel’s rebellion against God and God’s subsequent restoration of His covenant people. In today’s text, we have been party to yet another instance of this. The people of God were again in danger of sliding back into idolatry because of their disobedience to God’s law. This is a reminder that God’s laws are put in place for our good and His glory. Like the ancient Jews, we too are tempted by the culture that surrounds us—including the temptation to marry unbelievers (see 2 Corinthians 6:14–18).

God’s mercy provided hope for Israel to be restored to a right relationship with Him. But that required someone who would take the lead! Not everyone is gifted in the same way in this regard, and different leaders may respond differently to the same problem. (It’s rather humorous to contrast Ezra’s leadership style in Ezra 9:3 with that of Nehemiah in Nehemiah 13:25.) But it all begins with having a burden of the heart and soul.

God’s forgiving grace is available to us because of the person and work of Jesus Christ. The church is His bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 19:7–9; 21:2, 9; 22:17). May we be faithful to our bridegroom!

B. Prayer

Dear Father, guard our hearts against rationalizing our sins! Convict us so that repentant action may follow! May Your Word ever guide us to be faithful. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

C. Thought to Remember

Action is the hallmark of true conviction.

 Mitchell, Patrick L., Charles R. Boatman, et al. “The Faith-in-Action Preacher.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2020–2021. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson, Jane Ann Kenney, and Margaret K. Williams. Vol. 68. Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2021. 279. Print.