This chapter begins on a discouraging note. The princes of Jerusalem came to Ezra and told him of a sin that the people were involved in: they had married people of the surrounding countryside who were not Jews. God had specifically commanded them not to do this because it would corrupt them and lead them away from serving him. When all the people gathered together, Ezra came before God and poured out his heart. He confessed the sins of the people before God and thanked Him for His mercy.
There are two things we should learn: God commands us even today to be separate from the world around us and with good reason. The influence of constantly associating or marrying someone who does not believe as we do will corrupt our beliefs and damage our relationship. Also, we can learn from Ezra to always rely on God in times of trouble. He didn't know what to do. These people had incurred the wrath of God. So, he just poured out his heart to God in humble repentance. Today, we should do the same thing when we face insurmountable problems. Just give it all to God and He will provide, often in a way we couldn't even have imagined.
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