all its great strength it cannot save . But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him , on those whose hope is in His unfailing love , to deliver them ...” ( Psalm 33:16-18 ). We cannot save ourselves . Unless the Lord of Hosts has left to us a very small remnant , we would have become like Sodom , we would have become like Gomorrah ( Isa 1:9 ). Rightly did Ezra acknowledge the grace of God : “ The Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in His sanctuary ” ( Ezra 9:8 ). So , as the psalmist says , let us fear God and set our hope in Him . Yes , the remnant who escaped shall return , but not of their own strength , but “ the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will do this ” ( 2 Ki 19:30,31 ).
When the remnant started trickling into Jerusalem to build the temple , satan was horrified . But he had some tricks up his sleeve to hamstring them . But Ezra was not to be defeated by satan . How to preserve the remnant ?
After the completion of the temple and the grand dedication ceremony , it came to the knowledge of Ezra that the people of Israel including the priests and the Levites , did not keep themselves away from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices . They had intermingled with them through marriage . What was Ezra ' s reaction on hearing this ? He tore his tunic and cloak , pulled hair from his head and beard and slumped to the ground , appalled . Only by evening he arose . He fell on his knees and prayed . He wept , confessing the sins of the people and said , “ Oh Lord , God of Israel , You are righteous ! We are left this day as a remnant . Here we are before You in our guilt , though because of it no one of us can stand in Your presence ” ( Ezra 9:14,15 ). Ezra was angry at sin and reacted violently . He warned God ' s people that sin could once again lead God to destroy them all . God had been merciful before when they sinned , because they survived as a remnant . But they should not presume upon His grace but repent and make some heart-breaking decisions .
What was the result ? “ While Ezra was praying and confessing , weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God , a large crowd of Israelites - men , women and children - They too wept bitterly ” ( 10:1 ). They were stabbed by guilt . This was followed by confession of sin and setting right matters .
How did Nehemiah react to sin ? He rebuked those who had married women from Ashdod , Ammon and Moab . He called curses down on them . He beat some of the men and pulled out their hair . He made them take an oath in God ' s name ( Neh 13:23-27 ). It was a battle cry against sin and the message was loud and clear .