Topic: Yoked in Unequal Yoke [Thursday April 23, 2015]
Text: Ezra 9:1-4
Key Verse: “For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass” (Ezra 9:2).
Betty Killebrew, the publisher of Trove Magazine, a Christian publication, narrated a true story of a young woman, in what she entitled, “After the feelings.” The young woman, reportedly got involved in a rocky marriage. She later sought solace in the arms of another man, who offered her an even worse future. But when she came to her senses, she dumped the man she was having an affair with and reconciled with God. She thereafter enjoyed a pleasant life in Christ.
Our text reveals the regrettable lives of the Israelites before Ezra arrived Judah. God had commanded that the Jews should separate themselves from the nations around them to avoid being polluted with their idolatrous and evil practices. But these Israelites, including their priests and Levites, compromised their faith and lived in horrible sin just like the Hittites, Jebusites, Canaanites, Ammonites and Moabites, their enemies. God knew the conditions of these nations and what they were capable of doing. Curiously, His people, Israel disregarded His warning. When Ezra heard of the Israelites’ compromise, he felt sad because God had already warned them to stay away from these nations.
Today, many believers have compromised their faith as well because of unequal yoke in marriage and several other areas. Some married unbelievers because of their wealth, academic background, physical appearance and social status, among others. Others have entangled themselves with unbelievers in business. They ignored God’s warning not to be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” Now, they are living a life of sorrow and regret because of their ungodly relationship. If you are already in this terrible situation, please go back to God and seek His mercy and pardon.
Bible in One Year: Psalm 119:57-176
Thought for The Day: Unequal yoke attracts misery.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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