He answered our prayer
Ezra 8:23 - When we feel anxious about something that we’ve already prayed about, we should pray again!
“So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.”
Ezra 8:23 NIV
God chose to have me look at the Book of Ezra today. Now, Ezra isn’t one of the more well-known characters in the Old Testament, although he should be. He was a priest (כֹּהֵן - kōhēn) and a scribe (סָפַר - sāp̄ar) thought to have been alive in the 5th century BC. Rabbinic history has it that he not only wrote this book, but the Books of Nehemiah and Malachi, and 1 and 2 Chronicles as well.
Ezra carries a lot of respect in Judaism, as he restored the Jewish scriptures and religion to the people after they returned home from captivity in Babylon. In Christianity, Ezra is venerated as a saint in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
In this particular verse, Ezra has assembled the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who are returning to Jerusalem from Babylon and they are camped near the Ahava Canal (location is unknown today). There are about 1,800 people altogether, and Ezra has 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.” (Ezra 8:21)
Ezra had already told King Artaxerxes (the ruler of Persia) that they didn’t need any soldiers or horsemen protecting them on the road, because “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” (Ezra 8:22) Apparently Ezra is feeling just a bit anxious, as he now has the people fast once more and petitions God for guidance.
Now, why would the Jewish people need protection anyway? Well, Ezra and the families traveling with him are going to be transporting a lot of valuables that would be attractive to robbers. King Ataxerxes had provided them with literally tons of silver, as well as a quantity of gold and other commodities. These valuables were to be used to purchase sacrificial animals and to otherwise promote worship in the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.
Ataxerxes had an ulterior motive in giving the Jews this great gift; as stated in Ezra 7:23, “Whatever the God of heaven has prescribed, let it be done with diligence for the temple of the God of heaven. Why should his wrath fall on the realm of the king and of his sons?” He was basically covering all his bases in placating the gods of the peoples and territories Persia had conquered.
Ezra doesn’t want to contradict God by asking the king for protection, so by fasting and praying, he is putting his faith — and that of the assembled Jewish people returning to Jerusalem — into action.
Ezra lets us know that God responded to the fast and prayer — this book is a history of what occurred, and just after this verse, the group safely traveled to Jerusalem, the gifts of the king were counted, and a large burnt sacrifice made to atone for sin and show dedication to the Lord.
I think there’s a good lesson in this verse. When we feel anxious about something that we’ve already prayed about, we should pray again! It’s not telling God that you don’t trust Him — you’re giving Him praise and thanks one more time.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Lord in Heaven, sometimes despite my ever-growing faith in You I find that I am still anxious and concerned. Thank You for the words of Your servant Ezra, who showed us in this verse that honoring You with prayer and other praise is always appropriate. AMEN.