OT: Ezra 10
NT: Luke 2
W&W: Psalm 42
Today’s Reflection:
When a leaders leads the way in repentance and humility as did Ezra in the Old Testament, when he – like Jesus – takes the sin and guilt of his people as his own, when she throws herself and her people on the mercy of God, then something amazing happens: “A large crowd of Israelites – men, women, and children – gathered around him [Ezra]. They too wept bitterly” (Ezra 10.1).
When the people saw their leader identifying with them (chapter 9), they wanted to identify themselves with him. Their identification with their leader, however, did not end in weeping. Not only did they “own” the problem; the “owned” the solution. Looking through chapter 10 you see the following responses:
- We have been unfaithful…
- There is still hope…
- Let’s make a covenant to correct this problem…
- Let’s follow the input of this man of God who has led us to humility and repentance…
- Let’s do it “by the book” (the Law)…
- We pledge our support to the solution…
- We encourage our leader…
- We will help complete the solution…
“God, though I am unworthy, your work demands and deserves a leader who is contrite and humble, one who is willing to identify with the weaknesses of the people. Your work demands and deserves a people who will gather around a leader in this manner. God, may I be that leader! Give me that place!”
This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Isaiah 53.2-3: He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
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