Ezra 8

Study 6 – Ezra 8

1. Approximately 1500 men plus an unknown number of women and children accompanied Ezra back to Jerusalem. While it would not have been wrong for Ezra to take troops along with him; he had previously made a statement to the King that would have caused the King to doubt not only Ezra’s faith, but the Lord’s ability to protect Israel. In order not to bring shame to the Lord or the people, Ezra stuck to his word, declared a fast, and trusted the Lord. Ezra didn’t want to be a flip-flopper when it was convenient. He wanted to exercise genuine faith.
   
   
2. Anytime that we undertake a work for the Lord we need to do so only after we have fasted and prayed and we also must do due diligence in order to make sure that we have all of the necessary provisions to make the accomplishment of that work successful. God comes to the aid of those that plan and work hard to accomplish His goals.