Tyndale Open Study NotesEzra 10

Ezra addressed the issue of marrying idol-worshipping foreigners. The Jewish leaders had permitted this practice, even though the early settlers had promised to stay away from pagan influences (Ezra 4:1–5). Ezra prayed for the nation and assisted those who felt guilty about their sins to correct their actions.

Ezra's sincere mourning over his people's sin inspired many to join him.

Shecaniah was the first to bravely admit in public that he had been unfaithful to God. Admitting guilt offers hope for forgiveness of sin.

• A covenant is a binding agreement. In this case, it refers to divorcing pagan wives whom the people of Israel had married inappropriately. By doing this, they would renew their commitment to the Sinai covenant.

• Women usually received custody of their children when a marriage ended (compare Hagar and Ishmael, Genesis 21:14).

this matter is your responsibility: As an expert in the law (see Ezra 7:10), Ezra was responsible for guiding the people to a solution that honored God regarding intermarriage. Since the law of Moses did not provide clear instructions for divorcing pagan wives, Ezra needed to create a plan that aligned with Scripture and was fair to everyone involved.

The solemn oath included a promise to act and a self-imposed curse if the promise was broken (see Ruth 1:16–17; 1 Samuel 14:24–28).

according to the counsel of the leaders and elders: It was reasonable for Ezra to add this exception. Some people might not be able to come to Jerusalem to help settle this matter.

on the twentieth day of the ninth month...the heavy rain: The cold and wet weather made meeting outside uncomfortable.

It is unclear why these four people opposed the plan. They might have wanted a stricter penalty, or perhaps they or their family members did not want to divorce their foreign wives. The fact that there were only four dissenters shows the policy had overwhelming support among the rest of the exiles. Sadly, a few years later, a similar problem of intermarriage with foreign wives created another crisis within the community (Nehemiah 9–10).

some of them had children by these wives: The couples likely married before Ezra returned to Jerusalem. They were not exempt from the decree.