Bible Commentary

Ezra 8:21-23

Matthew Henry on Ezra 8:21-23

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? Those who seek God, are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers; but those who forsake him, are always exposed.

When entering upon any new state of life, our care should be, to bring none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition into it. When we are in any peril, let us be at peace with God, and then nothing can do us any real hurt.

All our concerns about ourselves, our families, and our estates, it is our wisdom and duty, by prayer to commit to God, and to leave the care of them with him. And, on some occasions, we should decline advantages which are within our reach, lest we should cause others to stumble, and so our God be dishonoured.

Let us ask wisdom of God, that we may know how to use or to refuse lawful things. We shall be no losers by venturing, suffering, or giving up for the Lord's sake. Their prayers were answered, and the event declared it.

Never have any that sought God in earnest, found that they sought him in vain. In times of difficulty and danger, to set a season apart for secret or for social prayer, is the best method for relief we can take.

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commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:15-31DETAILS OF EZRA'S JOURNEY FROM BABYLON TO JERUSALEM (Ezra 8:15-31). We gather from scattered statements in this passage— 1. That Ezra, with his companions, after a journey of nine days' duration, reached Ahava from Baby…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryEzra's Fast. (b. c. 457.)EZRA'S FAST. (B. C. 457.) Ezra has procured Levites to go along with him; but what will that avail, unless he have God with him? That is therefore his chief care. In all our ways we must acknowledge God, and in those pa…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:21-36EXPOSITIONJoseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:21Then I proclaimed a fast there. The fight of the civil ruler to "proclaim a fast" was unquestioned among the Jews and Israelites. Jezebel proclaimed one in Ahab's name when she wished to impress the Jezreelites with the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:21-23The fast at the Ahava. The halt on the banks of the Ahava lasted three days. Ezra lost no time. He viewed his company, and finding no Levites, organised a mission to induce some of them to join him. To the credit of the…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:21-23The spiritual and secular aids of life. I. THE SPIRITUAL NEEDING THE AID OF THE SECULAR. "To require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way" (Ezra 8:22). Ezra was about to co…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:21-30Before starting. Ezra's body of travellers now duly assembled and organised, what else was required? On the one hand, they were in a condition of much danger. Without being very numerous, they were numerous enough to be…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Ezra 8:22I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers. Before he apprehended danger Ezra had boasted to Artaxerxes of the power and goodness of God, and had spoken of himself and his brethren as assured of the Divine…Joseph S. Exell and contributors