Today I read Ezra 9 & 10, where Ezra prays because of the sin of marrying strange wives and the people set elders in place to address their sin. Today I considered that God does not want us to be married to unbelievers that do not have the same faith in God.
Strange Spouses Had to Leave
The people had to put away the strange wives (Ezra 9:1-10:44). Ezra was astonished to learn during their captivity the children of Isreal, priests, and Levites married, had children, and took on activities of those around them that were contrary to God’s laws. Ezra prayed to God, confessed their sin, and wept. The people gathered and were afraid. Shechaniah told Ezra they would have their strange wives and the children from those marriages leave and obey God’s commandments. Ezra had everyone swore. They told all the children of captivity to be in Jerusalem within three days or forfeit their stuff. They gave them time and appointed elders of the cities to help concerning who had sinned, what trespass offering to give, and the leaving of the strange wives and the children they had with them. The priests with strange wives are listed.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
God wants us to do His will and have someone that encourages us. Some Israelites not only married others but took on doing their “abominations.” They married people that turned them from doing the will of God. God wants us to marry people that will encourage us to follow God. If a believer marries someone who does not follow God, they have to deal with the outside world that does not follow God and even someone in their own home that is not following God.
How important do you believe your spouse’s relationship with God is toward influencing your relationship with God?