The Gospel in Ezra

I came across this today:

Ezra 9:10-15 ESV
(10) "And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken your commandments,
(11) which you commanded by your servants the prophets, saying, 'The land that you are entering, to take possession of it, is a land impure with the impurity of the peoples of the lands, with their abominations that have filled it from end to end with their uncleanness.
(12) Therefore do not give your daughters to their sons, neither take their daughters for your sons, and never seek their peace or prosperity, that you may be strong and eat the good of the land and leave it for an inheritance to your children forever.'
(13) And after all that has come upon us for our evil deeds and for our great guilt, seeing that you, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserved and have given us such a remnant as this,
(14) shall we break your commandments again and intermarry with the peoples who practice these abominations? Would you not be angry with us until you consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
(15) O LORD the God of Israel, you are just, for we are left a remnant that has escaped, as it is today. Behold, we are before you in our guilt, for none can stand before you because of this."

Note verse 13. Ezra had a pretty keen awareness of the people's guilt that was balanced with his awareness of the holiness of God. His understanding of God's holiness led him to say this.

Note verse 14. Ezra didn't want the people to presume on God's grace. In verse 15 He recognizes God's grace in allowing a remnant to escape. he also recognizes that God is just in doing what He promised He would do.

There is a lot in this little passage to consider. It inspires me to see God as Ezra did. It also inspires me to think about God's attributes and to marvel at them. God is both holy and merciful. I know that I'm glad He is not merely just!