The Nationalism of Ezra

Transcript

[Page 1] [Inserted in top of margin: Nationalism Ezra] Chapters 9 and 10 reveal the narrow nationalism of Ezra. So narrow is this nationalism that it rises to unethical [Page 2] proportions. There is nothing of the message of the great prophets in his words. He see his people as God's elect who are never to [Page 3] be contaminated with the friendship of other people. The strong opposition to mixed marriages is a case at point. He felt that those who had [Page 4] married foreigners should immediately give them up. Ezra did not have the insight to see that properly races do not marry, but individuals marry.