1. The Israelites' marriage problems (1-2)

Not long after Ezra arrived in Jerusalem, he was told about a serious sin problem among the Jews living in their homeland. The Israelites had joined themselves in marriage with the pagan Canaanite peoples who lived among them. Even the leaders had done this, setting a bad example for God's people. In Christ, God's concern is not about marriage between different human cultures, but between believers and unbelievers, as this produces an unequal yoke (2 Co 6:14-15) and stops the knowledge of God from being passed on.

2. Ezra's prayer (3-15)

How did Ezra respond to the news of his people's unfaithfulness? Before doing anything else, he brought it before God. Ezra prayed in anguish of soul. He confessed his people's shameful guilt in the face of God's gracious restoration to the promised land. He did not distance himself from his people's sin. He admitted that that they had no right to stand before God. This prayer was the beginning of spiritual healing.