Gathering the people
There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. 22 I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” 23 So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.
Ezra made two necessary preparations for the journey. First, he sought God’s protection, since their convoy loaded with treasures would have provided an ideal target for bandits, raiders, or unscrupulous officials along the way. Considering that a talent was more than 60 pounds, the amounts of gold and silver entrusted to the group was indeed fantastic in comparison with the availability of these precious metals today. Because Ezra had spoken confidently of the Lord’s power to the king, he was unwilling to ask for a military escort. Ezra resolved to depend entirely on the care of God. The assembled group therefore sought such help in fervent prayer.