Scripture Focus

“When these things had been done, the Jewish leaders came to me and said, ‘Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.’
…
‘Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel came and sat with me because of this outrage committed by the returned exiles. And I sat there utterly appalled until the time of the evening sacrifice. At the time of the sacrifice, I stood up from where I had sat in mourning with my clothes torn. I fell to my knees and lifted my hands to the Lord my God. I prayed, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens.” …
“Your servants the prophets warned us when they said, ‘The land you are entering to possess is totally defiled by the detestable practices of the people living there. From one end to the other, the land is filled with corruption. Don’t let your daughters marry their sons! Don’t take their daughters as wives for your sons. Don’t ever promote the peace and prosperity of those nations. If you follow these instructions, you will be strong and will enjoy the good things the land produces, and you will leave this prosperity to your children forever.’ ”*
— Ezra 9:1, 4-6, 11-12 NLT

“Let us now make a covenant with our God to divorce our pagan wives and to send them away with their children. We will follow the advice given by you and by the others who respect the commands of our God. Let it be done according to the Law of God. So now confess your sin to the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do what he demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women.”
Then the whole assembly raised their voices and answered, “Yes, you are right; we must do as you say!”
— Ezra 10:3, 11-12 NLT

Reflection
After all these things had been done—that is, after they had returned, prayed, fasted, brought the temple offerings, and delivered the king’s orders—leaders came to Ezra with the troubling news:
Many of the people, even priests and Levites, had intermarried with pagan nations and adopted their detestable practices.
Once the immediate physical and religious preparations were finished, the moral and spiritual compromise of the people was brought to light.
This is what happens every time we forget that Jesus—the Word of God—is our very breath, the breath of life.
I’ve been serving in ministry a long time, especially in our drug and alcohol recovery ministry. I’ve seen again and again that when people take lightly their daily, close walk with Jesus, it doesn’t take long before other things start to push ahead of Him.
There is so much to repair when you’re putting a life back together—finances, relationships, health, work. Those things do need attention, but if they begin to take the first place, Jesus gets crowded out. We forget that He is the true source of our life, our strength, our joy, our peace—even time itself is created by Him.
Jesus told the parable of the soils: some hear the Word but the worries of life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures of this world choke it out so that it bears no fruit. That’s what happens when we let other things push Him aside.
How devastating to read in Ezra that their sins were written down—family by family—and the shame, the sorrow, the loss followed. God’s Word stands forever. Not one word will pass away. That record stood as a warning that compromise brings heartache and loss.
That is why we cannot take lightly the things God has put in place to keep us strong in Him.


From the New Testament God Calls Us to:

• Do not be unequally yoked – 2 Corinthians 6:14
• Friendship with the world is hostility toward God – James 4:4
• Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness – Matthew 6:33
• Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things – Colossians 3:2
• Take every thought captive to obey Christ – 2 Corinthians 10:5
• Do not neglect meeting together – Hebrews 10:25
• Abide in Christ as the true vine – John 15:4-5
• Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you – Matthew 5:44
• Forgive as Christ forgave you – Ephesians 4:32
• Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus – Luke 9:23
• Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all things – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
• Do not worry about your life… seek first the kingdom – Matthew 6:25-34
• Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger – James 1:19-20
• Do not return evil for evil, but bless instead – 1 Peter 3:9
• Flee sexual immorality; honor God with your body – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20
• Keep your life free from the love of money; be content with what you have – Hebrews 13:5
• Do not grumble or complain – Philippians 2:14
• Put away all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander – Ephesians 4:31
• Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit; count others more significant than yourselves – Philippians 2:3-4
• Be holy in all you do – 1 Peter 1:15-16
• Live in harmony with one another; forgive, bear with each other, keep unity – Colossians 3:12-15
• Go and make disciples of all nations – Matthew 28:19-20

These all point back to the heart of the gospel:

“Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16

What About Me
Reading Ezra 9–10 reminds me that my heart can wander even after seasons of obedience.
It’s easy to think, “I’m doing well because I’m serving, reading, praying…” — but if I’m honest, the drift begins the moment I let other things, even good things, come before Jesus.

• Am I letting other cares or worries crowd out His Word?
• Have I allowed old habits or attitudes to creep back in?
• Do I put off obedience because it feels too costly?
• Have I neglected fellowship or worship because I’m too busy?
• Am I walking in the Spirit, or am I trying to live in my own strength?

The truth is, compromise never looks dangerous at first—but it always leads to heartache.
God’s commands aren’t there to limit me; they are to keep me close to Him.
I need to stay humble, to keep my heart tender, and to be quick to repent so I can live as one who is set apart for His glory.


Prayer
Father, I come before You with a humble heart.
I confess how easily I let the cares of life, worries, and even good responsibilities push You to the side.
Forgive me for the moments I’ve drifted or compromised.
Thank You that Your mercy calls me back.
Help me to love Your Word as my very breath, to cling to Jesus as my life and strength.
Teach me to obey quickly, to walk by the Spirit, to love as You love, and to separate from anything that pulls me away from You.
Keep my heart soft and my eyes fixed on Jesus.
May I be a living testimony that Your ways bring life, peace, and joy.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Journaling Prompt
Take a few quiet moments with the Lord.
Look over the list of New Testament commands above.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you which one you’re struggling with right now.
Write it down in your journal.
Give it honestly to the Lord, asking Him for help to surrender it and to strengthen you to walk in obedience.
Listen for what He may speak to your heart—about what to let go of, what step to take, or how to trust Him more fully.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

A Note from My Heart:
I know I added a long list of New Testament commands for us to look at, but I wanted to make sure there was something for everyone.
Each of us struggles in different areas, and sometimes we don’t realize where we’ve let the world or our own flesh crowd out Jesus.
My prayer is that as you read through the list, the Holy Spirit will gently show you the one that speaks to your heart today.