And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. Before they went about any business, delivered what was committed to them for the use of the temple, and the commissions to the king's officers; as it was but proper they should have some rest after such a fatiguing journey. read more
Zionwards. Ezra and the company he had gathered were now fairly on their way homewards, and we may look at them, looking also at ourselves, as— I. TRAVELLERS TO JERUSALEM . "Then we departed to go unto Jerusalem" (verse 31). They had come forth from a land of captivity and comparative privation, and were on their way to the land where they would no longer be bondsmen, and where every possible privilege would be theirs to enjoy: they were "going home;" to the land consecrated to... read more
After arriving. "We departed." "We came." Thus it is that Ezra here relates the rest of his journey, the only thing worthy of note between Ahava and Jerusalem being this, that, through "the good band of God" upon the travellers, they were kept in safety the whole way. This being acknowledged with a suitable note of thanksgiving, as something remarkable in such a journey (see end of verse 31), the story goes onto tell us of the first doings of the pilgrims after reaching the place which... read more
Progress. When the treasure was disposed in custody of priests sanctified to watch over it, and the caravan was otherwise ordered, the pilgrims started from the camp of the Ahava en route for Jerusalem. As we might expect from the piety which influenced them in their preparations— I. THEY WERE PROSPERED IN THEIR JOURNEY . 1. They enjoyed the blessing of their God. "The hand of our God was upon us." 2. The Divine protection was respected by the enemy. II. ... read more
EZRA 'S THREE DAYS ' REST AT JERUSALEM , AND SUBSEQUENT EXECUTION OF THE MORE PRESSING OF THE COMMISSIONS INTRUSTED TO HIM ( Ezra 8:32-36 ). After the fatigues of a four months' journey, a brief period of complete rest was well-nigh necessary. Like Nehemiah ( Nehemiah 2:11 ), Ezra was content with a rest of three days. On the fourth he discharged himself of his commission to present to the temple treasury the offerings of the Persian king, his... read more
Ezra 8:31-32. The hand of our God was upon us To protect and strengthen us in so dangerous and long a journey. And he delivered us from the hand of the enemy There were not only many enemies who hated them, and were desirous to cut them off; but many robbers, who watched for a booty, whom God either diverted some other way, or disheartened from attempting any thing against them. And of such as lay in wait by the way To wit, in the direct way. From this it may be conjectured, that God... 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
24-32. Then I separated twelve of the chief of the priests . . . and weighed unto them the silver, &c.—The custody of the contributions and of the sacred vessels was, during the journey, committed to twelve of the chief priests, who, with the assistance of ten of their brethren, were to watch closely over them by the way, and deliver them into the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The treasures in silver and gold, according to the value of the Babylonian talent, amounted to about £515,000... read more
Safe arrival 8:31-36The exiles had begun their journey on the first day of the first month (Ezra 7:9), but they had camped by the Ahava waterway for 12 days (Ezra 8:31). They arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month (Ezra 7:9). God kept them safe on their dangerous trip, and all their valuable cargo arrived safely.Burnt offerings represented the consecration of the worshippers’ persons to God (Leviticus 1; Leviticus 6:8-13). Sin offerings provided atonement (covering) for the... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Ezra 8:31-36
We are now to attend Ezra to Jerusalem, a journey of about four months in all; but his multitude made his marches slow and his stages short. Now here we are told, I. That his God was good, and he acknowledged his goodness: The hand of our God was upon us, to animate us for our undertaking. To him they owed it, 1. That they were preserved in their journey, and not all cut off; for there were enemies that laid wait for them by the way to do them a mischief, or at least, like Amalek, to smite the... read more