Repeated Folly

Ezra 8-10

Monday, May 11, 2026 | Brandon Bachtel

The initial return of the Israelite exiles, brought about through the favor of Cyrus, king of Persia, took place in 538 BC. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel and Jeshua found the city in ruins—the walls torn down and the temple destroyed. Though many were dismayed, the work began. They cleared the rubble, reestablished sacrifice, and started rebuilding the temple. Despite delays and opposition from stubborn enemies, the temple was finally completed a little over two decades later.

Fifty-seven years later (almost 80 since the initial return), Ezra, a priest from the Levitical tribe, received the blessing from Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem. He gathered a group of exiles and made the dangerous 900-mile journey that took more than four months to complete. Yet through every hardship, God protected them and all their valuable cargo on their journey.

When Ezra arrived in the city of peace, his heart was broken. In tears, he turned to the Lord in prayer and fasting because many of the Jews who had already been living in Judah had intermarried with surrounding pagan nations. God had strictly forbidden this practice because it continually led His people into idolatry and spiritual compromise. In fact, this very sin had contributed to Israel’s exile in the first place. Ezra was devastated to see that the people had not learned from their past mistakes.

How often are we like the Israelites? How many times do we experience the grace and faithfulness of God, only to return to the same sins, idols, and compromises that once entangled us? Proverbs 26:11 says, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.”

Seek the Lord today. Ask Him to reveal the areas where you continually stumble. Confess those struggles honestly before Him and ask the Helper—the Holy Spirit—to cleanse you from all unrighteousness and renew you with purpose, strength, and hope. God is faithful to restore what sin tries to destroy. He loves you and forgiving, and merciful to all who call upon Him because of His steadfast love (Psalm 86:5).