Ezra 10:4

Arise, for this matter belongeth vnto thee, wee also will be with thee: be of good courage, and doe it. Ezra 10:4 (KJV)

The book of Ezra records the return of the Israelites from Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. In chapter 10 the community discovers that many have intermarried with foreign women, a practice that violated God’s command in Deuteronomy 7:3‑4. Ezra, the priest‑scribe, is called to lead the people in confronting this sin and seeking repentance.

God’s expectation of separation is clear in the verse. The Lord had required His people to keep a distinct identity and to avoid marriage with those from other nations because of the spiritual danger such alliances posed. The passage therefore reminds believers that God calls His people to be set apart from worldly influences that can draw them away from Him.

The phrase “this matter belongeth unto thee” shows that Ezra was appointed by God to address the problem. As a teacher of the Law, he bore the responsibility of guiding the nation back to obedience. This underscores the vital role of godly leaders in helping others make choices that align with biblical principles.

The statement “we also will be with thee” reflects the community’s willingness to stand behind Ezra’s leadership. Although the exact wording is not found in the KJV text, the spirit of the passage indicates that the people pledged their support and committed themselves to the covenant that would follow. Their collective resolve demonstrates the importance of mutual encouragement in the pursuit of righteousness.

The exhortation to “be of good courage, and do it” (or, in the broader context, to “go up to Jerusalem… put away the wives of the strangers”) calls for decisive, obedient action. Confronting the sin of intermarriage required both courage and faithful obedience. The people were urged to act together, relying on God’s strength, to remove the foreign influence that threatened their covenant relationship with the Lord.

Application of this passage stresses several timeless principles:

uphold God’s standards of holiness, recognize the responsibility of leaders, support one another in the journey toward repentance, and summon courage to take the necessary steps toward correction. Believers are encouraged to seek divine wisdom, depend on God’s power, and engage in honest self‑examination as they pursue spiritual purity.

In summary, Ezra 10:4 teaches that separation from worldly corruption, faithful leadership, communal commitment, and courageous obedience are essential for confronting sin and restoring covenant fidelity.