Ezra 8:31 - Meaning and Application

We now follow Ezra to Jerusalem, a journey that took about four months in all. His large group moved slowly, and their daily stages were short. But the main point here is that God was good to them, and Ezra gave God the credit.

“The hand of our God was upon us” to strengthen them for the journey. They owed him, first, their safety on the road. There were enemies who waited to harm them, or at least to strike the stragglers, like Amalek, who attacked the weak and trailing ones. Yet God protected them (Ezra 8:31).

Even ordinary travel hazards should lead us to pray when we leave and to give thanks when we return in peace. How much more should we depend on God in a trip like this, which was full of danger. They also owed him, second, the safe arrival at their destination (Ezra 8:32). Those who have firmly set their faces toward the new Jerusalem should keep going and persevere to the end, until they stand before God in Zion. Then they will see that he who began the good work will also finish it.

The treasurers were also faithful. When they reached Jerusalem, they were eager to hand over their charge. So they went to the leaders of the temple, who received everything and gave them a full receipt, so to speak (Ezra 8:33, 8:34). It is a relief to be done with a trust, and it is a credit to a person’s name to show that it was handled faithfully.

Their companions were devout too. As soon as they came near the altar, they felt bound to offer sacrifices, even though they had been unable to do so in Babylon (Ezra 8:35). That duty may be put aside when there is no opportunity, but when the way is open again, it is expected. It is worth noticing that they included a sin offering. A sin offering was a sacrifice that pointed to atonement, the covering of sin that makes peace with God. That shows that forgiveness and cleansing make every mercy sweet and secure.

The number of their sacrifices also matched the number of the tribes, with twelve bullocks, twelve goats, and ninety-six rams, that is, eight times twelve. This pointed to the unity of the two kingdoms, as foretold in (Ezekiel 37:22). They no longer went as two tribes in one direction and ten in another. Instead, all twelve met, through their representatives, at the same altar.

Even the enemies of the Jews became friendly toward them. They respected Ezra’s commission and, instead of trying to hinder God’s people, helped them (Ezra 8:36). This happened simply because the king was moderate, and others wanted to seem moderate too. Then the churches had rest.