“Separated”

Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel. (Ezra 6,21)

Have you separated yourself from the filth of the nations?

The Jewish people had a long history of being surrounded by false worship and wicked lifestyles. Unfortunately, the Jewish people also had a long history of joining in false worship and wicked lifestyles. God had warned them of punishment and commanded them to repent, but they refused. The temple in Jerusalem was eventually destroyed by the Babylonians, and many Jewish people were taken into captivity (2 Kings 25.8-17). During the time of captivity, God saved many people from the wicked nations, and God led wicked kings to allow the Jewish people to return and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1.1-4; 6.1-12). After it was rebuilt, the Jewish people celebrated Passover with the converts who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations. These Gentiles, people that were not Jews, had turned from sin towards the one true God!

No matter where you are in the world, you are surrounded by false worship and wicked lifestyles. The Jewish people had special revelation from God and were called to be a witness nation, but they were influenced by the filth of the nations. We too can be influenced. Never forget that God hates sin (Psalm 5.4-5). You will likely not be taken into physical captivity, but you can become a captive of sin (John 8.34; Romans 6.6: Galatians 5.1; 2 Peter 2.19). This slavery ruins lives, destroys families, and angers God. You must separate yourself from the filth of the nations. Be careful what you allow into your life, into your home, into your phone, into your mind, and into your heart. Turn from sin towards the one true God!

Every day you have a choice. Will you choose sin, or will you choose God? Are you willing to separate yourself from the filth of the nations? God invites you to dine at His table, but you must be clean (1 Corinthians 10.21). Whatever you have fallen into, God is willing to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1.9). Come to Jesus, and your sins will be washed as white as snow (Isaiah 1.18).

God, thank You for revealing Yourself to me through Your Word. Thank You for the testimonies of those who separated themselves from the filth of the nations. Empower me through Your Holy Spirit to bear fruit worthy of repentance. Cleanse my heart and cleanse my mind as I walk with You daily. Prepare me to dine at Your table. Amen.

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Separated | Ezra 6.21
Weekly Bible Devotional

Written and Produced By:
Reverend David Lyda
Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church
Edgefield, SC

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.