Confession of sin or true repentance before God is a repentance that is realized through new commitments and behaviors. This newness challenges old behavior that is wrapped in sin and rebellion against God. In the end, someone can easily express that he is truly a sinner, rather than realizing his words through a life that is pleasing to Him in everyday life. In fact, what God truly desires is true repentance that is realized through words, actions, and thoughts that are directed towards God alone.
The first half of chapter 9 brings us to see a heartbreaking description of Ezra's mourning and his expression of asking for forgiveness from God. His actions were based on the fact that some Israelites, even their leaders who had already returned to Jerusalem, sinned by marrying foreign women. The Law notes that this action is not desired by God because it can have a bad impact on the people, namely being two-faced with God. Therefore, Ezra asked for forgiveness for himself but also on behalf of his fellow countrymen. They earnestly hoped that God would not bring disaster upon them, as had happened to the ancestors of the Israelites.
After praying for forgiveness and expressing regret to God, Ezra immediately ordered several actions to turn away from the wrongs that his people had done. He said that mixed marriages should no longer occur among them. Israelite sons should not marry foreign women, and Israelite daughters should not marry foreign men. These firm actions had to be taken to uphold the holiness that God had always desired. When the people upheld the holiness of their lives, God was pleased with them. In order to convince the people at that time, Ezra invited them to look back at the lives of Israel's ancestors. They had sinned before God, but He was still merciful so that what was inflicted on Israel was not commensurate with their transgressions. The existence of those who were left over from the destruction of the kingdom of Judah, then experienced exile to Babylon, and now returned to Jerusalem was clear evidence of His faithful love and mercy. So the great sin against God must not happen again and the people must immediately turn to God with all their hearts.
Bible friends, let us realize our repentance in a new way of life according to and in accordance with His will. Indeed, it is often not easy because this flesh is often greater than the Spirit that leads to the Source of Life. But remember the faithful love of God that embraces our lives so far. Even in His faithful love, God always presents new opportunities for us. As Ezra invited his fellow countrymen to turn to the Lord by remembering all His goodness, may we also be moved to repent and change based on the experience of God's faithful love. May God forgive us and enable us to live a new life according to His will.
