Ezra 9-10

The end of the book of Ezra deals with a specific issue that Ezra dealt with
The former exiles, including the leaders, had married pagan wives
This information causes Ezra great grief, even to the point of pulling out his own hair
(It's interesting that when Nehemiah faces this issue, he pulls out the offenders hair! 13:23-27)
Ezra's grief provokes grief among others who 'tremble at the words of God (Isaiah 66:2)
The rest of chapter 9 consists of Ezra's prayer during this time

Ezra's prayer
~Ezra uses the phrase 'our sin'...Israel has sinned, and he is part of Israel
~Ezra's prayer highlights our sin (6-7), God's grace (8-9), our sin (10-12) and God's grace (13-15)
~The 'wall' in verse 9 is probably metaphorical, though later Nehemiah would build a literal wall
~Ezra recognizes that Israel has already been punished for its wickedness
~Ezra wonders if God has any grace left for undeserving Israel

While chapter 9 dealt with the issue on a spiritual level
Chapter 10 deals with the issue on the physical plain
Once again, it begins with Ezra's grief over the situation
Once again, he is joined in his cries by fellow Israelites

Shecaniah's Plan
~Shecaniah comes up with a plan, hoping that there is hope yet for Israel to find grace
~Shecaniah suggests that the Israelites send these women & children away
~Shecaniah encourages Ezra to lead this course of action
~Ezra agrees and gathers Israel together (a practically mandatory meeting 10:8)
~The meeting was held in the coldest & rainiest month in Jerusalem
~The attenders agreed that this severe action was necessary
~The attenders suggested that individual divorce cases not be dealt with hurriedly
~There were at least 4 who disagreed with the plan
~The motives of the dissenters could have been good (anti-divorce) or bad (desire to keep pagan wives)
~In any case, it took 3 months to deal with all the individual cases
~It is quite possible that some of the pagan wives were willing to convert & no divorce was necessary
~In the end, over 100 divorces were issued among the Priests, Levites & Israelites

Thus ends 'Ezra,' though Ezra himself lives on through the book of Nehemiah