Day 250..."Concern of loss of identity...What a way to solve a problem!"

The context of Exra explains the teaching about intermarriage. I would not interpret this passage as evidence marrying other cultures is wrong. A broader perspective reminds the reader this is a time of exile... there was great concern of losing identity completely in other cultures with other other religions and gods. Israel already reduced to a remnant did not want to lose their tradition. The Bible is does speak of equality among all people as the words indicate in Galatians 3:28..."there is neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free but we are all one in Christ Jesus." The Isaiah teaching is timely following Holy Week..."Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way;and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all." The Jerusalem Council sought to resolve another controversial topic...circumcism. They compromised. Later, Paul and Barnabas disagreed about young homesick John Mark. Their going opposite directions was used by God to spread the Gospel both East and West! The impact...the good news of Christ would reach both Europe and East...both east and west. The Gospel would extend to reach the globe. What a way to solve a problem!