The Blame Game

 

While Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, a very great assembly of men, women, and children, gathered to him out of Israel, for the people wept bitterly. And Shecaniah the son of Jehiel, of the sons of Elam, addressed Ezra: “We have broken faith with our God and have married foreign women from the peoples of the land, but even now there is hope for Israel in spite of this. Therefore let us make a covenant with our God to put away all these wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the commandment of our God, and let it be done according to the Law. Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Then Ezra arose and made the leading priests and Levites and all Israel take an oath that they would do as had been said. So they took the oath. (Ezra 10:1–5 ESV).

 

The "blame game" is a destructive cycle where individuals or groups point fingers and shift responsibility for mistakes or failures, avoiding accountability by refusing to admit their own role and instead blaming others or external factors to protect themselves from negative consequences, often leading to damaged relationships and stalled problem-solving. It's a common pattern in personal relationships, workplaces, and politics, characterized by finger-pointing and mutual recrimination rather than seeking constructive solutions, and it's driven by a fear of consequences and a desire to regain control in chaotic situations. 

 

Healing doesn’t begin until people who have done wrong take responsibility for their actions. The people of God wanted to be healed of their rebellion of intermarrying with other peoples and adopting their gods and detestable practices. Ezra prayed for God’s forgiveness, and the people needed to do their part in the reconciliation process.

 

The people gathered around and wept. They admitted they had rejected God’s command to remain holy. They confessed their sin to Ezra and to God. In the pouring rain, Ezra demanded that the Israelites get right with God. They took measures to confess their sins, separate from the foreign families and practices, and submit to doing God’s will. This was not without great pain. Families were ripped apart. But at this time in Israel’s history it was the way to make things right.

 

When we confess, God forgives us. Then change can begin. If we want change in our personal life, our family, our nation, it must begin with confession of our sin. The Scripture is very clear: “… if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).