June 9, 2023 Friday
Ezra 10 and Proverbs 15 plus Genesis 13
The common theme in these two chapters is the receiving of reproof and the fruit of genuine repentance that brings separation.
Ezra 10:1-9 (KJV)
1Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.2And Shechaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, answered and said unto Ezra, We have trespassed against our God, and have taken strange wives of the people of the land: yet now there is hope in Israel concerning this thing.3Now therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives, and such as are born of them, according to the counsel of my lord, and of those that tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.4Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.5Then arose Ezra, and made the chief priests, the Levites, and all Israel, to swear that they should do according to this word. And they sware.6Then Ezra rose up from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Johanan the son of Eliashib: and when he came thither, he did eat no bread, nor drink water: for he mourned because of the transgression of them that had been carried away.7And they made proclamation throughout Judah and Jerusalem unto all the children of the captivity, that they should gather themselves together unto Jerusalem;8And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.9Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain.
Prov 15:27-33 (KJV)
27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.29The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.30The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat.31The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise.32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.33The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
Genesis 13: 11 to 15 So Lot chose him all the Plain of the Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against Jehovah exceedingly. 14 And Jehovah said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward: 15 for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.