Ezra Rebuilds the People

Ezra was a priest and biblical scholar. He arrived in Jerusalem to teach the Law and reform the people. However, the people had intermarried with the surrounding nations, blurring the very identity that was supposed to make them a witness to the world. Ezra’s response was grief and anger. He tore his clothes, pulled hair from his head and beard, and sat in stunned silence for hours before collapsing in prayer. His “solution,” breaking up mixed families, should make us all uncomfortable. This story raises important questions about how we try to fix what sin has broken. Thankfully, Jesus gives us a better way than trying to fix it ourselves.