Ezra the Priest and the Return from Exile
His Holiness Pope Shenouda explains that God may allow punishment for walking in sin (such as the exile of the people), but this punishment is not evidence that God has abandoned His love.
The punishment aims to teach the person and awaken him to the consequence of sin and lead him to repentance and return to God.
During the exile we see signs of God’s mercy: giving gifts to the prophets, preserving His people, and moving the hearts of kings to help the return and the rebuilding of the temple.
Prayers, humility and fasting played a great role in the end of the exile and the people’s return to Jerusalem and the building of the house of the Lord.
Trial and humiliation can make a person learn and correct his life; some increase in evil because of humiliation and some benefit and repent.
God’s love accompanies His punishment: He punishes for reasons but also prepares means for salvation and grace is revealed even through the enemies of the people.
We must distinguish between tears of grief and tears of joyful sorrow; at the rebuilding of the temple joy mixed with weeping expressing remembrance of the past and gratitude for the present.
True return requires inner humility and moral reform (for example separation from unlawful marriages and making a covenant and a spirit of renewal).
Spiritual and educational applications (from a Coptic Orthodox perspective)
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Do not confuse God’s love with neglect: His love does not exempt from judgment nor cancel living in holiness and obedience.
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God’s response to prayer, fasting and repentance is clear: we must not rely only on human authority but return to prayer and dependence on God.
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God may use the hearts of kings and foreign nations as a means to accomplish His will and help His people.
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Divine grace sometimes appears more than we deserve; therefore we must give thanks and humble ourselves.
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Spiritual reform requires practical steps (removing what corrupts the community and abandoning what violates the commandments).
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