Ezra 8:21-23

Ezra 8:21-23

[21] Then I proclaimed  a fast  there, at the river  of Ahava,  that we might afflict  ourselves before  our God,  to seek  of him a right  way  for us, and for our little ones,  and for all our substance.  [22] For I was ashamed  to require  of the king  a band of soldiers  and horsemen  to help  us against the enemy  in the way:  because we had spoken  unto the king,  saying,  The hand  of our God  is upon all them for good  that seek  him; but his power  and his wrath  is against all them that forsake  [23] So we fasted  and besought  our God  for this: and he was intreated  of us.

What does Ezra 8:21-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

As 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 in1620. [1] Fasting enabled the people to give more time and concentration to their praying (cf. Nehemiah 1:4; Acts 13:3). Fasting facilitates prayer; it does not manipulate God. Ezra"s primary concern, as these verses indicate, was God"s reputation.
"The refusal of an armed escort (historically surprising, given the amount of bullion being transported) brought into play the same providence which was vouchsafed to the ancestors in the wilderness ( Ezra 8:22)." [2]
"It is well to affirm faith, as many Christians do regularly in the creeds. Yet it is salutary to ask whether anything that one ever does actually requires faith." [3]