After these things had been done, the leaders came to me and said, "The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites.
Ezra 9:1 NIV
OK...The Hebrew were enslaved in Egypt and God led them out of Egypt. For about 3 days, The Hebrew were contented. After those 3 days, the accounts we have read are of wandering from God's plan and a return to or toward God's plan, law, and holiness. That pattern continues even in today's reading.
The Hebrew are being led back to their homeland after years of exile in Babylon. What do they do when they return. They begin to loose their separation from the surrounding nations.
Being holy is being set apart to and for God. As a result of the loss of separation from the surrounding nations, one might say that the Hebrew are loosing their holiness or their separation apart to God.
Looking at ourselves, we need to consider if there is enough evidence in our lives so that someone would know we have faith in Christ our Savior and that we are set apart to and for God.
Is there any conflicting evidence in our lives others may see that would cause others to wonder about our lives being set aside?
What activities might be hidden away by a Christian, for those activities would cause others to wonder?
(The prophet Daniel spoke of the abomination that causes desolation. One might consider that abomination to be the beast in Revelation. That beast could be anything that takes the high place that Christ has in our lives. In other words an idol.)
Pray for the Spirit to illuminate and provide strength and courage to you and to those who struggle with activities, idols, and other challenges that may be hidden away and could lead to desolation.
In Christ,
David P
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