Ezra 8:31-32 – Protected by God

Ezra and his entourage set out from Babylon to Jerusalem. The journey took about four months. This was according to Ezra 7:9. They set out on the first of the first month he began to go up from Babylon.  It was not until the first of the fifth month that they came to Jerusalem. Ezra was quick to recognize that God’s good hand was upon them.

Ezra 8 began by listing all the males in the entourage. We are told in verse 15 that Ezra assembled them at the River Ahava. There he noticed that there were no Levites among them. Then he sent for men to Iddo and his brothers who were temple servants at Casiphia and were given a team of Levites and some 220 Nethinim. It was there at River Ahava, that he also proclaimed a three-day fast to seek the protection of God because he did not want to rely on the king.  There he also assigned 12 priests to take care of the silver and gold utensils and the funds collected for the temple at Jerusalem.   

In Ezra 8:31-32, we are told that the entourage set out toward Jerusalem on the 12th day of the first month. The journey towards their destination was dangerous. It was common to encounter bandits on the way. They were exposed to the dangers of encountering the bandits. This was especially so since they were ferrying with them the silver and gold utensils and a substantial offering for the temple. Although Ezra did not say whether they encountered any, it was more likely that they did. What is comforting to note was that Ezra recognized that God’s presence was with them, protected them, saved them from ambushes, and saw them through the journey. When they came to Jerusalem, verse 32 implied that they took a well-deserved, three-day rest before delivering what they brought with them to the temple.

 

Without a doubt, God’s protection is always the best. It is available to us when we place our trust in Him.  We see His people both in the Old and the New Testament experiencing this. Here Ezra is one of those that relied on God and experience His protection. The lesson we take from here is that we can trust God with our lives, especially when we are doing His bidding. We are governed by His providence, covered by His prayer, and graced by His presence daily. What an honor!