Not The Lord's

King James Bible Study Daily Devotional
Message Title: Not The Lord's
Date: Sunday June 05, 2011
Chapters: Ezra 10
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Details of Today's Chapters: Separation is restored, the strange wives surrendered to God or put away

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses. They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD'S.” - Jeremiah 5:7-10.

When one thinks of the word adultery the first thing that comes to mind to most of us is an extramarital affair. The word adultery goes beyond a physical affair, it is being disloyal and betraying the one you love, it is breaking a commitment given to one another. When we make a commitment whether, it be a marriage vow, a contract, or living our life for Christ we are accountable for following through with that commitment. If we are disloyal in any way, whether it be in body, mind, or spirit, we are committing adultery and will face some suffering.

Ezra, after making the long four month journey to Jerusalem, was expecting to find some faithful followers of God, instead he found ruins. Israelites, including Levites were married to strange (worldly) women, some of them having children with them. He was so distraught over their sins that it drove him to intense prayer, as the congregation heard his prayer they too began to seek God's forgiveness.

“Now 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. And 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. Now 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.” - Ezra 10:1-3.

One by one, each man who had married a strange woman had to present himself with his wife and children before the court to determine whether or not they were involved in idol worshiping or were worshipers of the true God of Israel, it they were idol worshipers they had to get a divorce and separate from them forever.

“And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do... And they gave their hands that they would put away their wives; and being guilty, they offered a ram of the flock for their trespass.” - Ezra 10:10-12,19.

Now, God hates divorce and regardless of whether or not they are godly He does not condone anyone getting a divorce. It is important as Christians that we be separated from non-believers, they will almost always get us away from God and into their wicked living, but by the power of God He can convert any worldly person if their mate remains faithful to God. Should that not be so, God will make a way for them to become separated, Jesus Said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.” - Matthew 5:32.

I was engaged to a man who was morally corrupt and took me right down there with him until I realized I did not know who I was anymore. God separated us and during that time he became converted and is now changing his life with God in it. God does not make up these rules to keep us from living a good life or marrying the person we love, He makes them to keep us from going through unnecessary suffering. We are going to go through some suffering in any relationship, but we can endure it and become stronger all by the power of God.

“Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.” - Hebrews 12:9-11.

Every time we put people, things, hobbies, or careers before God, every time we miss a church service to go to a game, or every time we break one of His commands when we know it is a sin, we are committing spiritual adultery with God. Now, God knows what we are going through, He knows there are times when we may have to work because of a conflicting schedule, get sick, get caught up in obligations, or are just having a rough day and He is okay with that. He loves us, but we must get back up and keep moving forward with the power of God. He and He alone is the key to peace in any relationship, even one with God. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” - II Peter 1:3,4.

God knows our hearts and He will not pardon anyone who has not truly, wholeheartedly accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Of course, we are going to sin again, of course, we are going to have days when God is not in the picture, but God will never leave nor forsake those who truly are committed to Him. Just like any marriage, it takes work to have a good, solid relationship, but the best part is that it becomes a honest, trusting, loving partnership that nothing or no one can separate. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” - Hebrews 13:4-6. Praise God!

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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