Ezr 10:2-4

Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, one of the sons of Elam, said to Ezra,
“We have been unfaithful to our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land; yet now there is hope for Israel in spite of this.

“So now let us make a covenant with our God to put away all the wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God; and let it be done according to the law.

“Arise!
For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you;
be courageous and act.”

Notice what Shecaniah said.
He stated the problem - they had been unfaithful to God, they had married foreign women from the land.

But, then Shecaniah does a wonderful thing!
He declares there is hope.
Hope for Israel in spite of what they had done.

Then Shecaniah does something else.
He does not just declare hope.
He gives a path.
He gives a suggestion for action.
He encouraged the people to make a covenant with God and put away the foreign wives and children.
According to the counsel of the Lord.
According to the Law.

Some believe that Shecaniah himself had a foreign wife.
Perhaps.

Would this be hard?
Of course.

Did they care for their families?
Absolutely.

Yet, it must be done.

Shecaniah had one more word…all of this was from the Lord!

He exhort Ezra!
Told Ezra to arise!
Told Ezra the matter was his responsibility…he would lead in dealing with the matter.
Told Ezra that they, the people, would be with him.
Told Ezra to be courageous.
Told Ezra to act.

Just some “average person” was used of God to…

• Present the truth
• Present hope
• Present the plan
• Present exhortation and encouragement to the leadership

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