The hand of the Lord was on King Artaxerxes. He allowed Ezra to journey from Babylon to Jerusalem with his blessings & wealth to offer to the Lord God of Jerusalem.
[Ezra 7:13 NKJV] I issue a decree that all those of the people of Israel and the priests and Levites in my realm, who volunteer to go up to Jerusalem, may go with you.
Ezra gathered together Heads of the Families, Servants for the Temple, what a great responsibility was laid upon him. But he still humbled himself.......
[Ezra 8:21 NKJV] Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions.
Ezra spoke the statement below to King Artaxerxes, so he couldn't therefore ask for the King's protection as they traversed through hostile lands to Jerusalem.
What a proclamation of faith by Ezra.
[Ezra 8:22 NKJV]
“The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.”
His answer for protection?
[Ezra 8:23 NKJV] So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.
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