Ezra 10:27
“And of the sons of Zattu; Elioenai, Eliashib, Mattaniah, and Jeremoth, and Zabad, and Aziza.”
Context:The book of Ezra is a historical account of the Israelites returning from exile in Babylon to Jerusalem and the subsequent efforts to rebuild the temple and restore the people’s faithfulness to God. Chapter 10 specifically deals with the issue of intermarriage among the Israelites, which was contrary to God’s law.
The Sons of Zattu:In this verse, the sons of Zattu are mentioned. Zattu was one of the heads of the Israelite families who had taken foreign wives. The names listed here are the names of his sons. These names may not carry specific significance for theological study, but they provide a record of those who were involved in the intermarriage issue and took part in the resolution of the problem.
Repentance and Separation:Prior to this verse, Ezra, along with the priests, Levites, and the people who had returned from exile, discovered that many Israelites had married foreign women, which was against God’s law (Ezra 9:1-2). Ezra was deeply distressed by this and led the people in a national repentance, where they confessed their sin and made a covenant to put away their foreign wives (Ezra 10:1-5).
Restoration of Faithfulness:The list of names in Ezra 10:27 includes the sons of Zattu who were willing to obey God’s law and separate from their foreign wives. This signifies their commitment to restoring faithfulness to God and His commandments. Their willingness to let go of these relationships, despite the difficulty and personal cost involved, demonstrated their desire to align themselves with God’s will and maintain their identity as God’s chosen people.
Application:Ezra 10:27 reminds us of the importance of obedience to God’s commands. It teaches us that when we recognize our disobedience and sin, genuine repentance involves taking action to correct our wrongdoings. Sometimes, following God’s commands may require making difficult decisions and sacrifices. The example set by the sons of Zattu encourages us to prioritise our relationship with God above all else and to be willing to separate ourselves from anything that hinders our faithfulness to Him.
