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But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
   Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against you soul.¹

I shrivel at the thought that God had chosen me² and that Jesus paid the penalty for my sin³; thus I am redeemed, made clean, saved, and accepted by the Father and the Son. He calls me to be holy⁴—apart from his grace, impossible!

God embarked on a rescue mission; specified a land occupied by seven nations not his own. In his holiness, God commanded Israel not to intermarry with them but eradicate them—for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.⁵ Again, he reiterated these commands to Joshua as they were about to enter the promise land.⁶

Because of the hardness of their hearts, they continuously and totally disobeyed the LORD. Until God lifted his hand of favor from them and gave them into Babylonian captivity.⁷ Yet the steadfast love of the LORD never ceases and his mercies never come to an end.⁸ Again God provided a way for the remnant of Israel to return to Jerusalem.⁹

Ezra was sent to educate the people. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses . . . and the king granted him all that he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him.¹⁰ And he received a bad report, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, . . . For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. . . .”¹¹ (Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women?¹²) Israel gathered around Ezra. In shame, Ezra interceded. For a brief moment God again shows favor. God did not forsake them and provided relief.¹³

Despite our abominable sins, God’s steadfast love never ceases.¹⁴ God provides the way out. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.¹⁵ Among Jesus’ last words while nailed to the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”¹⁶

God remains holy. And his command extends to the New Covenant—Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? . . . . What agreement has the temple of God with idols? We are the temple of the living God. . .¹⁷

And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.¹⁸