6 And Ezra riseth from before the house of God, and goeth unto the chamber of Jehohanan son of Eliashib; yea, he goeth there, bread he hath not eaten, and water he hath not drunk, for he is mourning because of the trespass of the removal. 7 And they cause a voice to pass over into Judah and Jerusalem, to all sons of the removal, to be gathered to Jerusalem, 8 and every one who cometh not in by the third day, according to the counsel of the heads and of the elders, all his substance is devoted, and himself separated from the assembly of the removal. 9 And gathered are all the men of Judah and Benjamin to Jerusalem by the third day, it 'is' the ninth month, on the twentieth of the month, and all the people sit in the broad place of the house of God, trembling on account of the matter and of the showers. 10 And Ezra the priest riseth, and saith unto them, 'Ye—ye have trespassed, and ye settle strange women, to add to the guilt of Israel; 11 and, now, make confession to Jehovah, God of your fathers, and do His good pleasure, and be separated from the peoples of the land, and from the strange women.' 12 And all the assembly answer and say 'with' a great voice, 'Right; according to thy word—on us to do; 13 but the people 'are' many, and 'it is' the time of showers, and there is no power to stand without, and the work 'is' not for one day, nor for two, for we have multiplied to transgress in this thing. 14 'Let, we pray thee, our heads of all the assembly stand, and all who 'are' in our cities, who have settled strange wives, do come in at the times appointed, and with them the elders of city and city, and its judges, till the turning back of the fury of the wrath of our God from us, for this thing.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 10:6-14
Commentary on Ezra 10:6-14
(Read Ezra 10:6-14)
There is hope concerning people, when they are convinced, not only that it is good to part with their sins, but that it is necessary; we must do it, or we are undone. So rich is the mercy, and so plenteous the redemption of God, that there is hope for the vilest who hear the gospel, and are willing to accept of free salvation. When sinners mourn for their sins, and tremble at the word of God, there is hope that they will forsake them. To affect others with godly sorrow or love to God, we must ourselves be affected. It was carefully agreed how this affair should be carried on. That which is hastily resolved on seldom proves lasting.