The people of Israel had turned away from God, leading to their defeat and captivity. They had mingled themselves with the people of the lands, and their holy seed was lost. Ezra, a man of God, was heavy with grief and pleaded before God for deliverance. He recognized that separation from the world was a biblical principle and that the church had failed to practice it. The consequences of sin were evident in the church, and Ezra called for a revival and spiritual awakening. He prayed for God to give them a little space of grace, a way of escape, doctrine, and direction, so that they could rebuild the house of God and get out of their funk.
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