The Cost of Sin - Ezra Chapter 9-10 (week 7)

Introduction

Series recap

The Book of Ezra repeats itself

Chapter 1 Exiles return from Babylon

chapter 2 memorial of those who returned

chapter 3 the altar and temple foundation is built

chapter 4 problems arise

chapter 5 -6 sin identified, had not rebuilt the entire temple, but because they feared the Lord, they began to work, God protected them in their obedience and gave them grace

chapter 7 we meet Ezra and learn that he had determined to know the word of God, obey the word of God and teach the word of God

chapter 8 another memorial of another group returning to Jerusalem from Babylon

Message title The Cost of Sin

Ezra 9-10 is about a problem that they face

this time it is not from outside forces, but inside, it is sin in the people of Israel that is identified

the book ends oddly after chapter 10

many commentators believe that Ezra and Nehemiah are one book, so this only concludes the first part

Ezra 9:1–3 (CSB)

1 After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.

2 Indeed, the Israelite men have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has become mixed with the surrounding peoples. The leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!”

3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.

Sin will snuggle and help you conform to it

God hates sin, His full wrath will be poured out on it

We cannot have a passive attitude toward sin. The ramifications are too dire. Praise God he did not take a passive approach, but went all the way to the cross to pay for our sin.

Sin is Disobedience to God

There are some sin worse than others

Jesus told Pilate that the Jews would have the greater sin

The punishment is the same

James 2:10–11 (CSB)

10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all.

11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker.

We are judged sinner or guiltless, not how much sin

The Israelites had sinned

Their sin - intermarriage with those around them

this was not a racial thing - Moses and Boaz had married those outside of Israel,

both of their wives converted to worshipping Yahweh

more like Solomon, foreign wives coming with their false gods

exact thing God warned about and that led to the exile of Israel

Ezra 9:10–12 (CSB)

10 Now, our God, what can we say in light of this? For we have abandoned the commands

11 you gave through your servants the prophets, saying, “The land you are entering to possess is an impure land. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices.

12 So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons. Never pursue their welfare or prosperity, so that you will be strong, eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.”

This is not about ethnicity, but about idol worship

“The problem with intermarriage is not ethnicity, but religion. From this holy seed will come the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent’s head. Mixing seed show no regard for that hope and endangers fulfilling the promise.” CCE Commentary

It shows a disbelief in God and his promises

We realize our sinfulness as we know God more

Ezra came to Jerusalem having determined to know the law, obey the law and teach the law

chapter 9 is about four and a half months after Ezra comes to Jerusalem

he had been teaching the law in the temple and calling people of Israel to obey the law themselves

hearing the word of God, their sinfulness had become clear

Scripture should reveal our sin, in preaching and personal study

I would caution anyone who read the Bible and thinks of themself as an amazing person

A true recognition of sin causes you to mourn

Ezra 9:3–5 (CSB)

3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.

4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me, because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat devastated until the evening offering.

5 At the evening offering, I got up from my time of humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.

Behavior of mourning in the OT

We find it strange that Ezra would mourn their sin, unless he was participating

Sin should cause us to mourn, not just ours, but that as a collective

If there is sin in the church we should all mourn

We should mourn the sins of those who disgrace the name of God and Christianity

We should mourn the sins of our nation

Not shout them down as if we are so much better

Ezra did not say them, or they, but we and our

We should never be so proud that we look down on others as more of a sinner.

praying like a Pharisee, “Lord, thank you for not making me like this sinner.”

Sin is disobedience to the commands of God. We are all found guilty and that guilt comes with a cost.

Sin Comes With a Cost

We understand cost

Illustration - Kaitlynn’s chairs

we determine all the time if the cost is worth it

each has a different view depending on the cost

you might not risk the ticket or danger in driving fast, unless you are driving a loved one to the ED

we do not feel the real cost of sin

we may see some consequences of sin here

that may factor in the decision to sin now

but we will not fully understand the consequences of sin until we see the holes in the hands of Christ!

Ezra was not mourning because people do not listen to his teaching

this is not a prideful sorrow, “why don’t they listen to me?”

Ezra knows what this same sin has cost in the past

Ezra 9:7–8 (CSB)

7 Our guilt has been terrible from the days of our ancestors until the present. Because of our iniquities we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the surrounding kings, and to the sword, captivity, plundering, and open shame, as it is today.

8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the Lord our God to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in his holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes.

Exiled from the promise land

more than moving, but no longer living with God dwelling among them

the sin separate the Israel from God and his protection, from his blessings

Ezra realizes that God’s grace has brought them back to Jerusalem, and that they have gone right back to the same sin

even though they are still under control of Persia and their king, they are back in Jerusalem

they are allowed to sacrifice and worship

now, the sin of the nation is once again threatening this

Our sin separates us from God

this is the part that we cannot see

we can see and feel when we have a broken relationship with people here

there are many who live in this world who have no idea of their broken relationship with God

for those whose names are not in the Lamb’s book of life, this is an eternal separation

this means there will be torment for all of eternity in Hell

You and I on our own cannot stand in the presence of God

no amount of good works can lead us there

they built the temple, big deal, they are living in sin

too many people who claim Christ as savior will admit that when they die, they are just hoping they have done enough

we will never be able to pay the debt that we owe for our sin

We must flee from all temptation and sin

too many believers take sin too lightly because they believe that they are covered by grace

it is okay that I have hated, lusted, worshipped something else, drunkeness, stealing I am covered by the blood of the lamb

this is not the thoughts of one who is living in the spirit, one who is thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus has made for them

Romans 6:1–2 (CSB)

1 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply?

2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Living with an understanding of what sin cost our savior, will lead us to take extreme measures to be rid of sin in our life.

Sin Must be Removed

Illustration - Little kid told me I need to remove the bumps on my head

Sin needs to be removed from our lives

How do they deal with this sin, they remove the women and children from the community

Ezra 10:1–4 (CSB)

1 While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly.

2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, responded to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples, but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this.

3 Therefore, let’s make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the law.

4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we support you. Be strong and take action!”

Interesting how the public confession of Ezra leads to the repentance of others

authentic faith lived out, is contagious

their covenant with the Lord says that all foreign wives and their children must go

as noted earlier, not racism

Ezra 6:19–21 (CSB)

19 The exiles observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.

20 All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles.

21 The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.

even though not racist, this seems harsh to us

but if we understand what sin cost, then we understand that it takes severe and drastic measures

we must rid our lives of it

we must take drastic measures to remove the things in our lives that cause us to stumble

we cannot live with the attitude that it is not hurting anyone else

we must take drastic measures just to flee temptation

flee - run away, escape

Paul tells the Corinthians that there is always away of escape for sin,

1 Corinthians 10:13 (CSB)

13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

Paul tells Timothy that he is to flee idol worship and greed 1 Tim 6:11, from youthful lusts 2 Tim 2:22, The Corinthians to flee sexual immorality 1 Cor 6:18, and Idolatry in 1 Cor 10:14.

The idea is RUN TOWARDS GOD!

Sin cannot be removed like the women and children

Easy, this thing caused me to sin, so I destroyed it, I am innocent now

The truth is a price must be paid. God’s wrath will be poured out.

The wrath of God will be poured out on those who do not repent in Hell

for the repentant, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ, who’s name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus at the cross

this fulfills the requirements for you to not go to Hell

in order to enter Heaven, you must be righteous, meaning we must be perfect in terms of the law

When Jesus lived on earth, he not only had to die, he had to live the perfect life to the law

not only so he could be the spotless lamb

but that we could put on His righteousness

Have you repented? Are you living in sin? Are you taking the Lord’s sacrifice for granted?

Repent today, rid your life of sin, enter into the wonderful grace of God

Introduction

Here we are at the end of our journey through the book of Ezra. We have seen, how this book repeats itself in a couple different ways. We see an exodus in chapter 1 of the people of God who have been exiled from the promise land, now going back. This group is memorialized in chapter two. IN chapter three they build the altar and start to observe the sacrifices. They also get the foundation of the temple finished. This is a joyous time and a sorrowful one all at the same time. Joyful that the foundation is done, but those who had seen the previous temple realized this was not the same. That the sins of the nation have taken its toll. In chapter four, the Israelites begin to face opposition to the temple being rebuilt. We can see in chapters five and six how God has brought them through this, did not allow them to be comfortable with the temple in shambles while their houses we being built. He sent prophets to encourage and lead them in the rebuilding of the temple.

In chapters seven and eight, we see Ezra himself begin to enter the story. He was a priest of the Lord in Babylon who had determined to know the law, obey the law and to teach the law of God in Jerusalem. Last week, we talked about how Ezra and the Israelites humbled themselves and God protected them as they left Babylon and went back to Persia.

As we get to chapters nine and ten we see that once again, as the new group of travelers have come back to Jerusalem, the Israelites will find trouble. This time it is not from a king, enemies of other nations, or people living in that land that is simply against them. This time the trouble comes from within. Not the type of trouble as in a political uprising inside the people, but sin that is exposed in the nation of Israel. What they are about to go through will show them that there is a cost for sin.

The book oddly ends after chapter ten. Just, here is the sin of the people, the end. Some scholars believe that this is because the books of Ezra and Nehemiah are actually one book.

Ezra 9:1–3 CSB

1 After these things had been done, the leaders approached me and said, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levites have not separated themselves from the surrounding peoples whose detestable practices are like those of the Canaanites, Hethites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. 2 Indeed, the Israelite men have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed has become mixed with the surrounding peoples. The leaders and officials have taken the lead in this unfaithfulness!” 3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated.

Sin will snuggle and help you conform to it

God hates sin, His full wrath will be poured out on it

We cannot have a passive attitude toward sin. The ramifications are too dire. Praise God he did not take a passive approach, but went all the way to the cross to pay for our sin.

Sin is Disobedience to God

There are some sin worse than others

Jesus told Pilate that the Jews would have the greater sin

The punishment is the same

James 2:10–11 CSB

10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker.

We are judged sinner or guiltless, not how much sin

The Israelites had sinned

Their sin - intermarriage with those around them

this was not a racial thing - Moses and Boaz had married those outside of Israel,

both of their wives converted to worshipping Yahweh

more like Solomon, foreign wives coming with their false gods

exact thing God warned about and that led to the exile of Israel

Ezra 9:10–12 CSB

10 Now, our God, what can we say in light of this? For we have abandoned the commands 11 you gave through your servants the prophets, saying, “The land you are entering to possess is an impure land. The surrounding peoples have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness by their impurity and detestable practices. 12 So do not give your daughters to their sons in marriage or take their daughters for your sons. Never pursue their welfare or prosperity, so that you will be strong, eat the good things of the land, and leave it as an inheritance to your sons forever.”

This is not about ethnicity, but about idol worship

“The problem with intermarriage is not ethnicity, but religion. From this holy seed will come the seed of the woman who will crush the serpent’s head. Mixing seed show no regard for that hope and endangers fulfilling the promise.” CCE Commentary

It shows a disbelief in God and his promises

We realize our sinfulness as we know God more

Ezra came to Jerusalem having determined to know the law, obey the law and teach the law

chapter 9 is about four and a half months after Ezra comes to Jerusalem

he had been teaching the law in the temple and calling people of Israel to obey the law themselves

hearing the word of God, their sinfulness had become clear

Scripture should reveal our sin, in preaching and personal study

I would caution anyone who read the Bible and thinks of themself as an amazing person

A true recognition of sin causes you to mourn

Ezra 9:3–5 CSB

3 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and robe, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down devastated. 4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me, because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat devastated until the evening offering. 5 At the evening offering, I got up from my time of humiliation, with my tunic and robe torn. Then I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.

Behavior of mourning in the OT

We find it strange that Ezra would mourn their sin, unless he was participating

Not just our personal sin, but as a collective

If there is sin in the church we should all mourn

We should mourn the sins of those who disgrace the name of God and Christianity

We should mourn the sins of our nation

Ezra did not say them, or they, but we and our

We should never be so proud that we look down on others as more of a sinner.

praying like a Pharisee, “Lord, thank you for not making me like this sinner.”

Sin is disobedience to the commands of God. We are all found guilty and that guilt comes with a cost.

Sin Comes With a Cost

We understand cost

Illustration - Kaitlynn’s chairs

we determine all the time if the cost is worth it

each has a different view depending on the cost

you might not risk the ticket or danger in driving fast, unless you are driving a loved one to the ED

we do not feel the real cost of sin

we may see some consequences of sin here

that may factor in the decision to sin now

but we will not fully understand the consequences of sin until we see the holes in the hands of Christ!

Ezra was not mourning because people do not listen to his teaching

this is not a prideful sorrow, “why don’t they listen to me?”

Ezra knows what this same sin has cost in the past

Ezra 9:7–8 CSB

7 Our guilt has been terrible from the days of our ancestors until the present. Because of our iniquities we have been handed over, along with our kings and priests, to the surrounding kings, and to the sword, captivity, plundering, and open shame, as it is today. 8 But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the Lord our God to preserve a remnant for us and give us a stake in his holy place. Even in our slavery, God has given us a little relief and light to our eyes.

Exiled from the promise land

more than moving, but no longer living with God dwelling among them

the sin separate the Israel from God and his protection, from his blessings

Ezra realizes that God’s grace has brought them back to Jerusalem, and that they have gone right back to the same sin

even though they are still under control of Persia and their king, they are back in Jerusalem

they are allowed to sacrifice and worship

now, the sin of the nation is once again threatening this

Our sin separates us from God

this is the part that we cannot see

we can see and feel when we have a broken relationship with people here

there are many who live in this world who have no idea of their broken relationship with God

for those whose names are not in the Lamb’s book of life, this is an eternal separation

this means there will be torment for all of eternity in Hell

You and I on our own cannot stand in the presence of God

no amount of good works can lead us there

they built the temple, big deal, they are living in sin

too many people who claim Christ as savior will admit that when they die, they are just hoping they have done enough

we will never be able to pay the debt that we owe for our sin

We must flee from all temptation and sin

too many believers take sin too lightly because they believe that they are covered by grace

it is okay that I have hated, lusted, worshipped something else, drunkeness, stealing I am covered by the blood of the lamb

this is not the thoughts of one who is living in the spirit, one who is thankful for the sacrifice that Jesus has made for them

Romans 6:1–2 CSB

1 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Living with an understanding of what sin cost our savior, will lead us to take extreme measures to be rid of sin in our life.

Sin Must be Removed

Illustration - Little kid told me I need to remove the bumps on my head

Sin needs to be removed from our lives

How do they deal with this sin, they remove the women and children from the community

Ezra 10:1–4 CSB

1 While Ezra prayed and confessed, weeping and falling facedown before the house of God, an extremely large assembly of Israelite men, women, and children gathered around him. The people also wept bitterly. 2 Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, responded to Ezra, “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the surrounding peoples, but there is still hope for Israel in spite of this. 3 Therefore, let’s make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the law. 4 Get up, for this matter is your responsibility, and we support you. Be strong and take action!”

Interesting how the public confession of Ezra leads to the repentance of others

authentic faith lived out, is contagious

their covenant with the Lord says that all foreign wives and their children must go

as noted earlier, not racism

Ezra 6:19–21 CSB

19 The exiles observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 20 All of the priests and Levites were ceremonially clean, because they had purified themselves. They killed the Passover lamb for themselves, their priestly brothers, and all the exiles. 21 The Israelites who had returned from exile ate it, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship the Lord, the God of Israel.

even though not racist, this seems harsh to us

but if we understand what sin cost, then we understand that it takes severe and drastic measures

we must rid our lives of it

we must take drastic measures to remove the things in our lives that cause us to stumble

we cannot live with the attitude that it is not hurting anyone else

we must take drastic measures just to flee temptation

flee - run away, escape

Paul tells the Corinthians that there is always away of escape for sin,

1 Corinthians 10:13 CSB

13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.

Paul tells Timothy that he is to flee idol worship and greed 1 Tim 6:11, from youthful lusts 2 Tim 2:22, The Corinthians to flee sexual immorality 1 Cor 6:18, and Idolatry in 1 Cor 10:14.

The idea is RUN!

Sin cannot be removed like the women and children

Easy, this thing caused me to sin, so I destroyed it, I am innocent now

The truth is a price must be paid. God’s wrath will be poured out.

The wrath of God will be poured out on those who do not repent in Hell

for the repentant, those who know the Lord Jesus Christ, who’s name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, the wrath of God was poured out on Jesus at the cross

this fulfills the requirements for you to not go to Hell

in order to enter Heaven, you must be righteous, meaning we must be perfect in terms of the law

When Jesus lived on earth, he not only had to die, he had to live the perfect life to the law

not only so he could be the spotless lamb

but that we could put on His righteousness

Have you repented? Are you living in sin? Are you taking the Lord’s sacrifice for granted?

Repent today, rid your life of sin, enter into the wonderful grace of God