Ezra 9:9–15 (November 14th, 2025)

9:9 For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem.

10 “And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments, 11 which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, ‘The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land impure with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness. 12 Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.’ 13 And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this, 14 shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape? 15 O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.”

Ezra 9_9-15Brian Lee

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Summary

Ezra’s prayer reaches its most solemn depth in verses 9–15, where he recounts the astonishing kindness of God in the very words of the text. He remembers how “our God has not forsaken us in our slavery” but instead extended to them “steadfast love before the kings of Persia” (v. 9). The Lord granted them “a reviving,” “a wall in Judah and Jerusalem,” and the privilege of rebuilding ruins that were once the consequence of their own rebellion. Yet this bright memory of grace stands in sharp contrast to what Ezra confesses next: “we have forsaken the commandments” (v. 10). Despite God’s favor, the people have repeated the same sin that once led them into exile, joining themselves with the peoples of the land in ways that endangered their worship and faithfulness. The prayer concludes without a request—only the recognition that “You are righteous” and “we cannot stand before You because of this” (v. 15). The chapter ends in silence, revealing the weight of sin and the holiness of God.

Who is God

Ezra speaks about God by appealing directly to what God has done in the passage:

For we are slaves. Yet our God has not forsaken us in our slavery, but has extended to us his steadfast love before the kings of Persia, to grant us some reviving to set up the house of our God, to repair its ruins, and to give us protection in Judea and Jerusalem. (v. 9)

He confesses that God “has not forsaken us” (v. 9).

God moved foreign kings—men who did not know Him—to show kindness, granting Israel “some reviving to set up the house of our God… and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem” (v. 9).

God is the One who revives, protects, and rebuilds.

Yet in Ezra’s final confession, God is also the One who judges righteously:

"O Lord, the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this.” (v. 15)

God is both merciful and holy, compassionate and just, faithful to restore and faithful to judge.

What is Our Guilt

Ezra names Israel’s guilt with the same clarity that the text provides. Their guilt begins with the simple confession: “we have forsaken Your commandments” (v. 10). Those commandments were not vague; they were spoken explicitly “through Your servants the prophets,” who warned Israel not to imitate the abominations of the surrounding nations (v. 11). The people were told not to enter into relationships that would lead them into the idolatrous customs of the land (v. 12), yet Ezra admits that this is precisely what they have done again. The text underscores that this is not ignorance but repetition of known sin. Ezra says, “After all that has come upon us for our evil deeds… shall we break Your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations?” (v. 13–14). Their guilt is not merely that they sinned, but that they sinned after being shown mercy, after receiving revival, and after hearing clear warnings from God’s Word. It is the guilt of returning to what God delivered them from.

How Does Grace Shine

Grace in this passage shines as it is remembered in the midst of guilt.

Ezra marvels that God granted them “a little reviving in our bondage” (v. 9). This phrase acknowledges that the people had no power to restore themselves. Grace is seen in the fact that God gave them “a peg in His holy place” (v. 8, echoed in v. 9 through the continued language of protection), a foothold for rebuilding their life with God.

Grace shines again in the recognition that God has punished them “less than our iniquities deserved” (v. 13). This confession does not diminish their sin. Rather, it magnifies God's patience.

Perhaps, the brightest glimpse of grace in this section lies in Ezra’s final declaration:

“You are righteous… behold, we are before You in our guilt” (v. 15).

Ezra does not presume mercy, but he prays in awareness that the God who is righteous is also the God who has already shown mercy. The door of grace has not been closed, but it must be approached with humility. Ezra’s unresolved prayer creates a longing that the gospel later answers. Sinners can stand before God only because Christ stands in their place. The grace glimpsed in Ezra becomes the grace fulfilled in Jesus.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

You have not forsaken us, just as You did not forsake Your people in their bondage. You have revived us when we were faint, and You have rebuilt what our sins have broken. Yet we confess that, like Israel, we have turned again to the very things from which You delivered us. Forgive us for forsaking Your commandments and forgetting Your kindness. Teach us to feel the weight of Your holiness and to remember the mercy You have shown. Lead us to Christ, who alone enables sinners to stand before You in righteousness and peace.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.