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here are three kinds of
law: natural, manmade and revealed. There are rules... plain common sense
rules that shouldn't even have to be
written down, taught or defended.
Universally, people with common sense know by sheer conscience that some
things are immoral. Then, below that, there are rules which are made by men.
However, there are certain rules which have been handed down to us by God
Himself. These rules are perfect and supreme. They supersede and eclipse all
other laws. The Bible stands above every other authority.
What happens when a man finds that he is in a position where
no matter which way he turns he'll be violating one or more of God's laws? Were
it not for the fall we wouldn't have this problem, but ever since then, our
race has faced it often. While God's laws are never self-contradictory, we can
surely put ourselves into circumstances where there's no perfect option; just
better or worse options.
What was Ezra to do when he found that the remnant of the
Jews (who had returned to Judah prior to his arrival) had freely intermingled
with the Canaanites? It couldn't be undone... or, could it? Whatever the
solution, the option of idolatry had to be removed. So, when Ezra saw Jerusalem
in disobedience and realized that the exile of the nation had not persuaded
them to abstain from marrying idolatrous gentiles, he was livid (Ezra 9:1 &
14). He was quite literally pulling his hair out in frustration. He was ashamed
even to go to God in prayer for these rebellious people (Ezra 9:6). But, he did
it anyway.
I'm
not espousing moral relativism. I'm an absolutist. Truth is concrete and
eternal, not fluid nor subjective. However, in this situation, nothing was more
important than stopping the pollution of the Jewish faith. Ezra was at a loss
for words.
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