Ezra 8:21-23

Fasting and Prayer for Protection

21 ¹Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river ²Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, ³to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.

22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, ⁴“The hand of our God is for good on ⁵all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him. ”

23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.

Ezra 8:21-23 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EZRA 8

In this chapter we are told who and how many went up with Ezra to Jerusalem, Ezr 8:1-14, the gathering of them together at a river, from whence he sent to Babylon for Levites to come to him, who did, Ezr 8:15-20, the proclaiming a fast for a safe and prosperous journey, Ezr 8:21-23, the delivery of the vessels and money given him into the hands of priests, to take the care and charge thereof, Ezr 8:24-30, their safe arrival at Jerusalem, where they deposited the gifts in the temple, offered sacrifices to God, and delivered the king's commissions to his lieutenants and governors, Ezr 8:31-36.

Cross References

• 1. 8:21 See 2 Chr. 20:3
• 2. 8:21 ver. 15, 31
• 3. 8:21 [Ps. 5:8]
• 4. 8:22 See ch. 7:6
• 5. 8:22 [2 Chr. 15:2]