Ezra 10:8
And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away.
Whosoever would not come to Jerusalem within three days according to the counsel of the princes and the elders would have all his substance forfeited and would himself be separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away. The order to assemble under threat of loss of all property and expulsion from the community of the returned exiles belonged to the effort to separate the people from heathen influences and to bring them into a spiritual condition suited to rebuilding Jerusalem.
Practical separation from the surrounding world was part of the people's preparation to understand and obey God's law, for in Ezra 9-10 they were required to respond to their wrongdoing before they could be enlightened in the law. The chapter containing this decree gives God's clear counsel in love and mercy about marriage, to be carefully and prayerfully consulted and cheerfully obeyed as important instruction and timely warning. It teaches that marriage is to be only in the Lord and that the duties of marriage are to be studied before entering it. Such heedfulness escapes bitter anguish of heart, painful regret for long years, frequent disappointment in that honorable estate, and repentance that is at once too soon and too late.