Ezra 9:10 - “Now, our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments,

Generated Verse: Ezra 9:10

What does "Ezra 9:10" mean?


Ezra 9:10 is a cry of despair and recognition of guilt after a period of disobedience and sin. Let's break it down:

"Now, our God..." This is a direct address to God, acknowledging His authority and power. It also implies a relationship, even though it's a strained one at this moment.

"...what shall we say after this?" This is the heart of the verse. It expresses a profound sense of being speechless and unable to defend themselves. "After this" refers to the specific sins that Ezra has just learned about and described - the Israelites intermarrying with foreign, pagan peoples. This violation of God's law is so egregious that they are at a loss for words. They have no excuses, no justifications.

"...For we have forsaken your commandments." This is the reason for their inability to speak. It's a direct admission of guilt. They haven't merely stumbled or made a mistake; they have deliberately and consciously abandoned God's commands. The use of the word "forsaken" emphasizes the deliberate nature of their abandonment. It suggests they knew what God wanted and chose to go another way.

In essence, the verse is:

An acknowledgment of God's sovereignty.
A profound expression of shame and guilt.
A confession of willful disobedience to God's laws.
A realization that they have no adequate response or excuse for their actions.

The verse sets the stage for Ezra's prayer of confession and repentance. It highlights the gravity of their sin and their need for God's mercy and forgiveness.

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