Ezra 10:12 Commentary and Bible Study

‘Then all the congregation answered and said, with a loud voice.’ There is deep heartfelt feeling about this. This is something of the proportion of an awakening, and they are all so anxious to assent: ‘As thou hast said, so must we do.’ They have a tender conscience.But then there is a protest from the people, and it is legitimate. ‘But the people are many. It's a time of much rain. We are not able to stand without. Neither is this a work of one day or two.’ They knew that there were many people through the land. ‘For we are many that have transgressed in this thing.’ So the proposal is made for the rulers of the people and the judges and the princes to take by appointment all the offenders in turn. Then they say, ‘Until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be returned from us’ – an indication that there was some very perceptible judgement of God on the land, which they wished to bring to an end.