Title: Ezra Rise (Ezra 10:5)
Content Introduction: "Then Ezra arose and made the priests, the Levites, and all Israel swear an oath to do according to these words." Finally, Ezra got up.
1. Ezra fell down and wept In verse 1, "Ezra fell down before the house of God and wept and prayed and confessed his sins..." Ezra was lying on his face in front of the house of God. Because of the sins of the people, especially the sins committed by the priests, the person in charge was heartbroken and unable to bear it. So, to apologize, I fell on my face.
Lying down in prayer is the most thorough attitude of repentance in the supreme state of humiliation (卑下狀態).
Ezra fell on his face and apologized to God, not because of his own transgression, but because of the sins of the people and leaders.
2. Received the exhortation of “Get up” Even though Ezra himself had not sinned, when he fell on his face and prayed as a substitute, among the descendants of Elam, Shecaniah son of Jehiel suggested that those who had taken foreign women should be released according to the law. As he exhorted, he exhorted, "Rise up," because it is your own business. Even when you cannot get up on your own, you will have to get up when someone else says, "Get up."
The word "rise up" here means "to rise up" (蹶起). It doesn't usually mean sitting down and then getting up, but it means to rise up with extraordinary determination and spirit, and it is to urge courage.
3. Ezra arose.
“Then Ezra arose, and the priests and the Levites.” Indeed, Ezra arose.
After praying, he came to understand God's will deeply, and the time came when he had to use the power that God gave to carry out his mission, and Ezra arose.
In Ezekiel 2:1, "He said to me, Son of man, stand up, and I will speak to you." God urged the prophet Ezekiel to rise up.
To those who betrayed me (God), to those who are deeply rebellious, whether you listen or not, you must speak in my own words. Ezra glorified God by being bold and courageous, carrying out his mission thoroughly, and being wise and gracious.
Conclusion: A man of God should not always fall on his face with guilt, but after thorough repentance, he should get up and work hard when the time comes.