““And now, O our God, what can we say after all of this? For once again we have abandoned your commands! 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 9:10-12 NLT
Often, when we are faced with bearing the weight of our sin and its wages are being paid out upon us, we throw our hands up in utter disdain and surprise and what we have brought to bear. Our response to shift blame, to lie about the circumstances or our involvement, and to deflect attention away from where it belongs. Certainly, Adam and Eve both did this in the garden of Eden. Yet, here we see Ezra owning the truth of his situation before God. Instead of blameshifting, lying or deflecting, he takes ownership for a crime that wasn’t specifically committed by him. Perhaps, even more importantly, he acknowledges that God has been faithful during this crime. God has always given man a way to escape his sin and be reconciled. When man does not come back to God or finds himself distant from him, it is not merely a mistake. It is a treasonous and rebellious act because God is so faithful that men can claim no excuse for their failures. This truth is a necessary part of confession. We must not only confess our part, but also God’s part in our sin. That is to say, that he has given us every opportunity to not be sinning.
JOSH McGARY. COM 