Ezra 9:5-15
Let us notice and imitate the attitude of Ezra in this chapter. Anyone else would have severely reproached the people. By contrast, Ezra stands before God and accuses himself together with the whole of Israel. By offering twelve bullocks and twelve he-goats (Ezra 8:35) he had reaffirmed the unity of the people of God. Now a natural consequence of this oneness is the sharing of responsibility and suffering (see 1 Corinthians 12:26). In that respect what a lesson this servant of God gives us! He teaches us not only to avoid pointing out the faults of other Christians but to feel shame and sorrow ourselves because of them before the Lord.
The words of Ezra are really moving. They contrast the mercy of the God of Israel with the ingratitude of His people. But, while feeling deeply the weight of the sin which he has not personally committed, Ezra is powerless to do anything to remove it from the sight of a holy God. Only One had the power to accomplish atonement. The Son of God, by taking upon Himself our sins and making them His own, was able to proclaim in His unspeakable suffering: "Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me . . ." (Psalms 40:12).