take care that you be not ensnared to follow them
Nehemiah 1:2
And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”
As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments
Ezra 9:1
After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 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. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel
Daniel 9:18
O my God, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations, and the city that is called by your name. For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy.
Two separate trials. One the remnant of Jews who escaped exile were living in Jerusalem and the walls were broken down and the gates burned. In the other people of Israel had not separated themselves from others who did not honor God and took wives of nations they were not allowed to marry. In the trail spoken of in Nehemiah he mourned because the city that stood as a symbol of God’s chosen (who by the way had chosen to forsake following Him, and were allowed by God to be, taken into exile) had come to much ruin and were a shame for those who loved God. In Ezra he mourned because of the great sin that had been committed by the Jews. In both cases these two leaders were heart broken over what they heard. Their response was to fast and pray. This is a good example for each of us. When we hear of our culture going down a path away from God – Fast and Pray. When we hear of brothers and sisters fallen away and following a path away from God – Fast and Pray. When Gods word convicts our heart that we are on the wrong path – CONFESS and TURN AWAY from that which God has shown us. Oh God open our ears and our heart to know You and hear Your voice leading us on a path that brings honor and glory to You. Keep God first in all you do.