Listen to our bonus season

the study of EZRA

OLD TESTAMENT

IN THIS EPISODE

• Ezra 9:1-2 | Ezra finds out that the people have fallen back into their patterns of sin | 1:25
• Ezra 9:3-4 | Ezra mourns publicly | 10:50
• Ezra 9:5-15 | Ezra prays and repents on behalf of the nation | 13:45
• Ezra 10:1-6 | The leaders resolve to repent and correct their mistakes | 23:20
• Ezra 10:7-19 | Israel gathers to deal with their sin | 32:10
• Ezra 10:18-43 | The nation deals with their sin, starting with the leaders | 36:00
• Ezra 10:44 | The final takeaway: JESUS | 43:45

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | Remembering our mission

When the Jews first returned to the land, they were passionate about following the Law and correcting the mistakes of the past. After living in the land for many years, the Israelites had forgotten their purpose and their mission; they returned to their old patterns of sin. The same can happen in our lives when we fall off mission. One reason we gather weekly as a church is to remember and remind ourselves of God’s grace and the gospel of Jesus. We must perpetually keep the gospel and mission of the church in front of us. No matter how long you have been living the Christian life, we must stay on mission with Jesus.

2 | The corporate and communal nature of sin

Today we think of sin as an individual matter. But Israel knew that one person’s sin can affect an entire community. Ezra’s reaction in chapters 9-10 may feel extreme to us, but he understands the parasitic and contagious nature of sin. It’s uncomfortable to talk about, but we can’t ignore it. Believers are called to keep each other accountable for our actions. Do you have someone in your life who keeps you accountable to pursuing obedience?

3 | Leadership is a high calling

Ezra and the leaders set the example by starting the standard of obedience and holiness with themselves. They don’t pass the buck. When they realize the sin of the nation, they take responsibility and they take action. The same is true today. 1 Timothy 3 says leaders in the church should be “above reproach.” Too often in our culture, even in the church, we fail to hold leaders accountable to lead with integrity. Ezra sets and the community leaders in Ezra 10 set a good example that we can learn from. They lead with integrity from the top down.

SHOW NOTES

In this episode, Matt and Neil wrap up their study of the book of Ezra, with Ezra chapters 9 and 10. The book ends on a difficult narrative. After many years of living in the land, the people have fallen back into sin and Ezra calls them to repent. The leaders set the standard and deal with sin from the top down. The community gathers as a whole to purify themselves and repent. Sin can take us off our mission. What are you doing to stay accountable and keep on mission with Jesus?

 Thanks for listening to the first season of the Men’s Bible Study Podcast. We will be making some changes in season 2. Matt is sticking around and will be joined by a new co-host. Look for season 2 in the Fall of 2021!