When the people saw Ezra repenting before the Lord, they were convicted of their unfaithfulness. They wept and confessed their sin, but they also confessed their hope in God. They resolved to commit themselves to God and made a covenant before him to send away their foreign wives and children and live according to the Law. When Ezra heard this, he put the leaders under an oath while he fasted and prayed about their unfaithfulness.

An assembly was then proclaimed. There Ezra reminded them of their unfaithfulness and told them to honor the Lord and rid themselves of their foreign wives. The whole assembly agreed. Each town would set a time to take care of the matter so that God's fierce anger would be turned away. A record of those who gave their hands in pledge to obey God was written. It is the testimony of their faith in God who forgives sin and establishes his covenant with those who repent.


Application: Lord, help me to trust and hope in your forgiveness. Bless me to live in the new covenant each day.
One Word: Repent and live in hope