Ezra acknowledged the corporate identity. In Ezra 9:6 he says,
O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift my face to Thee my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads.Now there is no evidence that Ezra was one of those who took a foreign wife, but he is a member of the covenant people, and we are tied together. We are bound together. We might not think about that; we might not always feel it, but it is inescapably true. That is one of the reasons why God tells us, when someone in the body rejoices, rejoice with that person. It is not just a kind or nice thing to do, a polite and civil thing to do; it is because you too are being blessed. If you are bound to that person by love, that person's happiness becomes yours by participation. But also, if one is in sorrow, weep with those who weep. And that is what Ezra is doing here; he refers to our iniquities. He does not point to the brethren and say you have ruined my life; you have jeopardized my wellbeing. I have kept myself pure, but you have sinned and you brought us in jeopardy. [No], we are in this together, we.1
William Harrell
6 saying:“O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.