1. Sitting in the rain in misery (1-15)

Ezra's tears of repentance moved the hearts of the returnees. They realized that their only hope lay in real repentance. So, on an appointed day, all the men gathered in the square in Jerusalem. It was raining hard. Ezra ignored the rain; he reminded them that they had been unfaithful to God in marrying godless women. He challenged them to repent and separate from the godless people of the land. They didn't argue; they agreed to do as he said- but they wanted to come in out of the rain!

2. The fruit of repentance (16-17)

The returnees repented of their unfaithfulness and compromised lives. They set a drastic course of action. Perhaps they were too extreme- but it was a matter of spiritual survival. Ezra saved his people by teaching repentance and the obedience that comes from faith.

Application: Lord, help us to realize that we can't compromise with sin. Help me to teach your word faithfully, as Ezra did.
One Word: There is hope if we repent