1. Unfaithful people (1-4)

Ezra was appalled to see that many of God's people, including the leaders, had intermarried with the Canaanites. The Canaanite culture was corrupt. It involved sexual perversion, idol worship, etc. God had told his people not to compromise with the Canaanites and not to intermarry with them. When Ezra saw how marriage had degenerated from a holy institution into a human arrangement, he tore his clothes and sat down on the ground all day in self-abasement. Then he fell on his knees in prayer.

2. Ezra's prayer (5-15)

Ezra shared the responsibility for the sins of his people in his confession. He thanked God for his mercy in sparing a remnant to return and rebuild the temple. He confessed their sins and guilt in disobeying God's word and intermarrying with the people of the land.

Application: Lord, we are sinners who cannot stand before you. Purge us from our idolatry and heal our unfaithfulness.
One Word: Don't compromise