1. Ezra 10:8 (ESV)
  2. Application

It is all God’s possessions

Ezra 10:8 (ESV)

8 and that if anyone did not come within three days, by order of the officials and the elders all his property should be forfeited, and he himself banned from the congregation of the exiles.

So, you will not be considered part of the covenant people and you will forfeit possessions. Why? The people's possession, their property, and the place in which they were living—even the land—and the covenant community, were all of God's doing. They were all of God's giving. And if you want to live your life saying, I do not want to do what God says; I want to rely on my own understanding…God will let you do it. But do not think that you can take from God and curse him at the same time. And even this is not by any means a complete cutting off even from God in his common grace. They are not executed. They are not punished with whippings or anything like that. They are not run out of the land. They could still make a living and start over again. Basically, it is a matter of choosing your unbelieving life and defying your spiritual leaders, but realizing that ultimately that is it; you are rejecting the Lord and his provisions.1

William Harrell