Eza 10:3-4 Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it." (ESV)
Even in their revival Israel was caught up in the very sin that caused their captivity in the first place. It seems that each of us have certain sinful tendencies that we naturally gravitate toward. There is wisdom in knowing what those are and guarding ourselves in those areas.
The solution to this sin in their midst apparently came from a man named Shecaniah. It came as a result of a time of corporate fasting, prayer and grieving over their sin. Dealing with this sin involved three things. First, it was connected to fear of God and relationship with him. The solution came out of fasting, grieving and trembling before God. It involved a covenant with God. There is a fundamental understanding of both the fear of God and the love of God in this. Fear of and relationship with him are key.
Second, the solution is grounded in the scriptures. "Let it be done according to the Law" was Shecaniah's counsel. Too often we neglect to understand that the counsel of the Spirit of God that flows out of relationship never contradicts the counsel of the scriptures which were inspired by that same Holy Spirit. Following the "Spirit" without a proper understanding of his "Word" can lead to hearing incorrectly, leading us into unbiblical behavior. Of course, the other side of that coin is just as dangerous. Exalting the Word of God without a vital, living relationship with him results in dead orthodoxy. Neither is healthy.
In this solution to sin there is fear of and relationship with God. There is also a respect for and proper understanding of God's word. Thirdly, there is a respect for and submission to God's leadership. Shecaniah says, "it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it." In our individualistic and independent society where individual rights and choices reign supreme, and in a society where authority has been routinely abused, we find the idea of respecting, submitting to and following our leaders scary. We might even say it is unwise. But that is why blindly following our leaders is never the biblical mandate. Respect for and submission to leadership is one of the principles here. It is not the only principle. When we are fearing God and in proper relationship with him, and when we are respecting and properly understanding God's Word then we must also respect, support and follow the leadership God has placed over us.
Too often, when dealing with sin, we practice one or two of these principles. There is Godly wisdom in using all three. They validate one another and bring balance and clarity to our lives. Father, thank you for your Spirit, your Word and your leaders whom you have placed over me. May I respect each and listen well.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
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