I can already hear the conclusion some will make regarding this verse in Ezra. Even though Scripture says God hates divorce (Mal 2:16), some men will contend this verse gives them permission to divorce a wife that is not a believer.

Of course, in most marriages where only one of the two is a Christian, it is more likely the wife will be saved and not the husband. So, what's good for the husband is also good for the wife. Will God bless a marriage partner for leaving the other and expect God's blessing? I think not. If they use this verse or any other as authority to do so, they'll be in error not knowing the Scripture of the power of God.

I trust you realize I'm applying improper interpretation of Scripture to make a point. Some people are so impressionable, they'll read "And Judas went out and hanged himself" along with the verse, "Go ye and do likewise" as a command to follow Judas' example.

Know this: the word of God will never contradict itself, nor will God encourage anyone to leave their spouse for any reason save physical endangerment, certainly not ethnic cleansing or starting over again.

God has always expected His people to be separate from sin, including the pagan religions around them. Intermarrying someone who is lost introduces all sorts of problems. Still, every minute of the day, a believer is marrying someone who is lost, thinking they can persuade them to become a Christian after they're married. But evangelical dating or marriage seldom works.

Ezra noted that this intermarriage is what drove Israel into exile. They failed to listen to God and obey His word. After rebuilding the temple and moving back to the Holy Land, Ezra suggested the people might want to renew their vow to God and turn from the lifestyle that led them astray.

Your life may be one big mess and you don't know what to do. Know that God is able to fix what you broke, but you must be willing to turn from the sin that corrupted you. If you don't, your life will snap back into the same rut sin created for you.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Er. 10:1-44 1 Co. 6:1-20 Ps. 31:9-18 Pr. 21:3 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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