25 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Good News and Bad News" Ezra 9: 1-5

25 August 2009 Devotion for Today "Good News and Bad News" Ezra 9: 1-5

1 When these things were done, the leaders came to me, saying, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands, with respect to the abominations of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, so that the holy seed is mixed with the peoples of those lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and rulers has been foremost in this trespass.” 3 So when I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and plucked out some of the hair of my head and beard, and sat down astonished. 4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel assembled to me, because of the transgression of those who had been carried away captive, and I sat astonished until the evening sacrifice.
5 At the evening sacrifice I arose from my fasting; and having torn my garment and my robe, I fell on my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD my God. (Ezra 9: 1-5)

Some one announced to me the other day, "I've got good news and bad news!" We hear this all the time. Usually the person making the announcement will ask, "What do you want to hear first, the good news or the bad news?" I usually will ask to hear the bad news first, so that the good news that I hear later will help console me when I hear the bad news. Otherwise, if I hear the bad news last, I will be left with the gnawing ache of disappointment.

There is also an old lesson that says that if the news sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Have you ever been so excited by some good news or a new development that you were so certain would be the answer to your problem that you may have shouted for joy, only to discover, to your bitter disappointment that the news you heard was not exactly as you had hoped? This was what Ezra the prophet discovered after his period of fasting. At first they had searched for priests to serve in the newly dedicated and rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem. Everything went well with this despite earlier opposition. But they could not begin the rituals until priests were found from the tribe of Levi. In the last chapter, a family of this tribe were found and presented themselves to Ezra and the leaders of the Jews. Ezra was so excited that he prematurely celebrated and appointed the men- just the number that was needed- to their holy offices.

However, it was discovered that the family of priest were defiled. Many of them had married pagan wives. Most of them had children by them. In fact, some of them had pagan grandmothers and mothers. The priests that remained in Israel after the captivity could find no wives for their sons among the Jews who had been carried away into captivity and looked to the pagan populations in the lands about them. It was a bitter disappointment for Ezra, because now the sacrifices could not continue until this situation was fixed. What could be done now as the priests were already consecrated to serve in the Temple? Would the priests have to be dismissed from their position because they would be disqualified? Perhaps the question about their wives did not show up on the application. Would they have to divorce their pagan wives? Or would it just be easier if Ezra ignored the whole issue and allowed the situation to play out as it stood? The dilemma was not an easy one to overcome. It would cause Ezra and his leaders to look bad no matter what they did- and become extremely unpopular. However, Ezra also knew that the One who was most important to please was God.

You may confront a "good news/bad news situation" today, or one that will test your integrity and tempt you to compromise. When this happens, what will you do? Note that Ezra was still in his time of fasting. Just because an answer comes to you in your time of prayer does not necessarily mean that it is THE answer to your prayers. God may have a better thing for you. Perhaps He desires that you wait until He has laid everything out before you.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I have been praying about this matter for a long time. It seemed to me that this or that would work and be the answer to that which I had been praying. But now I find that it is worse than not having the answer at all. I am disappointed now, so cheer my aching heart and let not this problem find a root of bitterness in me. Father help me to swallow my pride and admit that I might have acted too hastily. Help me to continue to be close to You and to trust You until the answer comes. Help me to keep my integrity. In Jesus Name, Amen.