So we fasted, and besought our God for this ,.... Sought the Lord by fasting and prayer for a good journey, and preservation in it: and he was entreated of us ; accepted their prayer, as Jarchi, so that they came safe to Jerusalem. read more
DETAILS OF EZRA 'S JOURNEY FROM BABYLON TO JERUSALEM ( Ezra 8:15-31 ). We gather from scattered statements in this passage— 1. That Ezra, with his companions, after a journey of nine days' duration, reached Ahava from Babylon on the ninth day of the first month; 2. That he rested three days at Ahava, and proclaimed a fast; 3. That he was there joined by a small number of Levites and a considerable body of Nethinims from the immediate neighbourhood; 4. That,... read more
The fast at the Ahava. The halt on the banks of the Ahava lasted three days. Ezra lost no time. He viewed his company, and finding no Levites, organised a mission to induce some of them to join him. To the credit of the sons of Levi, strong as was their attachment to the silver of Casiphia, they promptly forsook it in favour of Zion. On the third day the caravan was made up; but before the journey was undertaken Ezra proclaimed a fast. Consider— I. THE OBJECT . It was to obtain the... read more
The spiritual and secular aids of life. I. THE SPIRITUAL NEEDING THE AID OF THE SECULAR . "To require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way" ( Ezra 8:22 ). Ezra was about to conduct his comrades on a perilous journey to Jerusalem; hence he felt the need of a military guard as well as of the good hand of God upon him. The spiritual, as a rule, requires the aid of the secular. 1. Divine truth needs secular aid. As the... read more
Before starting. Ezra's body of travellers now duly assembled and organised, what else was required? On the one hand, they were in a condition of much danger. Without being very numerous, they were numerous enough to be worth attacking while prosecuting their journey. On the other hand, they were in a position of much responsibility, being intrusted with the care of many treasures for God's house. These were the two things Ezra had to see to before they actually moved. The plans he adopted... read more
Ezra 8:23. And he was entreated of us They had some comfortable assurance in their own minds that their prayers were answered; and the event showed that they were, for they escaped all the dangers they had been afraid of, and in due time arrived safe in Judea. read more
Details of the journey (8:1-36)Leaders of the family groups who returned under Ezra are listed, along with the numbers of people in the various groups (8:1-14). Surprisingly, no Levites were among them, so Ezra sent specially for some. Levites were essential, as religious service was the main purpose of Ezra’s return (15-20).The journey to Jerusalem would take Ezra and his party about four months (see 7:9). During this time they would constantly be open to attacks from robbers. Yet even though... read more
The immigrants’ spiritual preparation 8:21-23As is quite clear from these verses, Ezra sensed his great need for God’s help in the dangerous trip that lay before them. This moved him to seek God’s favor in prayer. Ezra 8:21 was the text of John Robinson’s last sermon at Leiden, Netherlands, before the Pilgrims sailed for the New World in 1620. [Note: R. A. Bowman, "The Book of Ezra and the Book of Nehemiah," in The Interpreter’s Bible, 3:632.] Fasting enabled the people to give more time and... read more
Particulars of Ezra’s Company1. Them that went up] The sum of the numbers given is 1,496. Only males are mentioned, and if no women accompanied them, the absence of such doubtless increased the tendency that the people manifested to intermarry with heathen families. 2. Hattush] This should be connected closely with the following clause, Hattush being grandson of Shecaniah: 1 Chronicles 3:22. 3. Of the sons of Pharosh] Most of the families in this list also appear (with some variations) in Ezra... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 8:21-23
Ezra has procured Levites to go along with him; but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? That is therefore his chief care. In all our ways we must acknowledge God, and in those particularly wherein we are endeavouring to serve the interest of his kingdom among men. Ezra does so here. Observe, I. The stedfast confidence he had in God and in his gracious protection. He told the king (Ezra 8:22) what principles he went upon, that those who seek God are safe under the shadow of his... read more