Separation

Ezra 7-10 tells of the coming of Ezra to Jerusalem, the people who came with him, and of the people who were intermarrying with foreigners. Ezra brings people to serve in the completed temple, but is horrified to learn that the people are beginning to repeat the mistakes that had them sent into captivity in the first place, namely marrying women who did not worship the God of Israel. The people repent of this sin, and do so throughly.

We should always be careful to not repeat mistakes, but we, like the Jews in Ezra's time, are human and are going to slip up again and again. We should repent of our sins like they did, and cling to the Lord, who knows who belong to Him, and keeps us safe.