“Lord, God of Israel, You are righteous, for we survive as a remnant today. Here we are before
You with our guilt, though no one can stand in Your presence because of this.” Ezra 9:15 HSCB

A remnant of Israelites had been allowed to return to Jerusalem after long captivity in Babylon.
God had called Ezra to minister to the needs of this group of people. Upon their arrival, a time
of sacrifice and worship began at the restored temple. Soon, the leaders brought Ezra a report
that sin had infiltrated the people of Israel, religious leaders, and Levities. Corruption pervaded
all three levels of the community.

Ezra, appalled by the report, immediately began to mourn, tearing his tunic and robe and
pulling out the hair on his head and beard. A sign of great grief and remorse, Ezra was utterly
devastated.

Sitting in front of the temple, Ezra began to pray as others slowly gathered around him. The people
who trembled at the words of the God of Israel now stood around the praying prophet, grieving
over the nation’s sin. Then, as the evening offering begins, Ezra stands and begins to cry out to
God in prayer.

Erza became the mediator on behalf of the remnant who had allowed the vile abominations of
surrounding nations to influence not only Israel but God’s law and instructed them to have nothing
to do with them. What would have grieved previous generations had become commonplace
among the people. No wonder Ezra’s prayer of confession declared, “Here we are before You
with our guilt, though no one can stand in Your presence because of this.” (v. 15b)
Psalm 130:3 says, “If You considered sins, Lord, who could stand?” Perhaps the psalmist
remembered this time in Israel’s history. All would be lost if this was the verdict of each sinner.
Guilty before God. Not one of us could stand. No excuse would suffice. The psalmist continues
in verse 4, “But with You, there is forgiveness so that You may be revered.” The Lord’s
compassion offers us grace and mercy through His forgiveness when we humble our hearts
before Him.

In Matthew 3:3, another prophet, John the Baptist, came preaching, saying, “Repent, because
the kingdom of heaven has come near!” The time had come for Christ to be revealed to a sinful
world. Ezra brought the people to the temple before a Holy God. Christ, the embodiment of the
temple, brings an evil world to Himself. The perfect atonement of Christ now offers forgiveness
to the repentant. We were found guilty, but Christ, our advocate, declared us “not guilty.”
Standing in the courtroom with God as judge, would He declare you “guilty” or “forgiven”?
How are you affected by the sin of others? Does it grieve your heart, or are you numb to the
“filthiness” of the world around you?

Pray for your “remnant,” your town, church, and family as Ezra prayed, “Our guilt is as high as
the heavens. Grace has come from You, Lord, to preserve us. Lord God of Israel, You are
righteous, for we survive as a remnant today. God gives us new life and light to our eyes.” AJW