Ezra

Ezra 8: God grants the travelers' request

Begin in prayer

Before we join the travelers at the river in our reading, please remember the God who granted their request. Bring our family's needs before Him, and ask Him to turn our eyes toward Jesus as we hear His Word.

I sought Yahweh, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

Father in heaven, open our eyes to understand the prayers and journey of Ezra's company. Show us Jesus as we read, and make us more like Him. Please bless our family, teach us to depend on You, and help us bring our needs before You honestly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The chapter names those who travel with Ezra from Babylon, and God's good hand brings ministers for His house. At the river Ahava, Ezra proclaims a fast to seek a straight way for the company, their little ones and all their possessions. They fast and beg God, and He grants their request. Ezra weighs the silver, gold and vessels to selected priests, and God delivers the travelers from the enemy and bandit by the way. In Jerusalem the gifts are weighed, offerings are made, and the king's commissions are delivered to his satraps and the governors beyond the River.

As you read Ezra 8, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God grants the travelers' request and delivers them on their way to Jerusalem.

Ezra's confidence rests on the God whose good hand he has already described to the king. Asking for a military escort would shame him after that testimony, so he brings the company's danger before God. Fasting expresses their humble dependence while they ask for a straight way for families and possessions. Ezra also says God's wrath stands against those who forsake Him, keeping the warning beside the promise. The safe journey is God's answer to their request. Trust also leads Ezra to weigh the gifts before departure and again on arrival. Twelve chief priests received the silver, gold and vessels by weight (verses 24 to 30).

How does Ezra 8 show us that God grants the travelers' request and delivers them on their way to Jerusalem?

God's good hand helped bring ministers for His house.

A company returning for worship needs ministers for God's house. Ezra notices the missing Levites and sends for men who can serve. Their arrival is credited to God's good hand, even though Ezra has taken care to ask for them.

God granted the request they begged Him for.

The fast expresses humility before the God who hears. The answer is God's kindness to this company. Today sinners come to the Father through Jesus, the only way to Him (John 14 verse 6).

God delivered them from the enemy and the bandit.

Ezra credits God with rescue from the enemy and the bandit. The gifts are also counted and weighed on arrival, just as they were before departure. Written weights show that trust in God's protection goes with care for what He has entrusted.

Memorise

So we fasted and begged our God for this: and he granted our request.

Ezra 8:23

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, why do I need Jesus when I bring my needs to God?

The travelers “fasted and begged our God for this” and He “granted our request.” Their little ones and possessions were in His hands. Ezra also spoke plainly of God's wrath against those who forsake Him.

Sin is the danger that Christ came to rescue His people from. Christ died for His people and took their sin on Himself at the cross. He completed their rescue, paying their debt in full. Death gave way when Jesus rose to life. The risen Savior speaks for His people before God (Romans 8 verse 34). His sacrifice remains sufficient, and His care continues.

Bring Him your guilt, as well as the fears you carry. Turn from sin and trust Jesus. With faith in Him comes forgiveness, and the Father hears them through Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him has a living Savior to depend on through danger, whether a journey is easy or hard.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God granted the travelers' request, and that Jesus speaks for His people before God. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. This journey does not promise that every believer will escape danger or suffering.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for granting the travelers' request, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so each one may bring a need before Him if they want to.

through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:2

Lord God, thank You for granting the travelers a straight way and delivering them from the enemy and bandit. Please bring our family to repent and trust Jesus. Help us depend on Him as we pray, and teach us to serve You faithfully through whatever this week brings. Amen.