by Jamie Roussie

As Ezra convenes the returning exiles, I'm impressed how Ezra seeks God’s blessing for the journey back to Jerusalem. He trusts God with abandon, telling the king that no armored guard was necessary because, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him” (v. 22). What trust Ezra shows in God’s ability to guard the people. Further, Ezra realizes that they are in need of designated men to watch over the articles dedicated to the house of God in Jerusalem. Again, I see a demonstration of Ezra’s knowledge of God’s law.

In the previous chapter of Ezra, I saw God’s hand of blessing on Ezra and today, I can see why. Ezra’s commitment shows itself as he led the people in fasting and petition for a safe journey, knowing that God would provide an answer.

When I read passages like this in the Bible, I wonder whether or not my prayers don’t get answered because I don’t pray hard enough—with sufficient fasting and petitioning! I likely could be more diligent in prayer, but is this what this part of Ezra’s story is telling us? I think it is telling us of God’s blessing for those who seek him. Most often, the reward is him and not “safety” in whatever form we desire it. It seems that by seeking God here in this way, the returning exiles were put into God’s will, not the other way around.

A fellow traveler,
Jamie