Ezra 8:21

“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, etc.] After the messengers to Iddo were returned with those they brought with them: that we might afflict ourselves before our God; humble themselves before him for their sins, confess them, and declare their repentance of them, and ask forgiveness for them: to seek of him a right way for us; to take from thence towards Jerusalem, to be directed by him in it: either by a prophet, or by a vision in a dream, as Eben Ezra; or rather by the guidance of his providence; this they sought in prayer by the river side, where it had been usual with them, and since has been, to perform religious exercises, (see <260101>Ezekiel 1:1 3:15 <441613>Acts…”

“A FAST PROCLAIMED. (Ezra 8:21-36) Then I proclaimed a fast there--The dangers to travelling caravans from the Bedouin Arabs that prowl through the desert were in ancient times as great as they still are; and it seems that travellers usually sought the protection of a military escort. But Ezra had spoken so much to the king of the sufficiency of the divine care of His people that he would have blushed to apply for a guard of soldiers. Therefore he resolved that his followers should, by a solemn act of fasting and prayer, commit themselves to the Keeper of Israel. Their faith, considering the many and constant perils of a journey across the Bedouin regions, must have been great, and it was…”

“A fast - For public mercies. Publick prayers must be made, that all who are to share in the comfort, may share in the requests for it. Afflict ourselves - For our sins; and so be qualified for the pardon of them. When we are entering on any new condition of life, our care should be to bring into it none of the guilt of the sins of our former condition. When we are in any imminent danger, let us make our peace with God, and then nothing can hurt us. Right way - A safe and prosperous journey; such a way and course as might be best for us. Ezra 8:23”

“8:21 fast and humble ourselves: Ezra recognized the need to look to God for the protection, safety, and health of 5,000 people going 800 miles on foot. Robbers might be hiding in the hills, there was danger in crossing rivers, and people could get sick.”

“I proclaimed: Jdg 20:26; Sa1 7:6; Ch2 20:3; Joe 1:14, Joe 2:12-18; Jon 3:5 afflict ourselves: Lev 16:29, Lev 16:31, Lev 23:29; Isa 58:3, Isa 58:5; Jer 31:8, Jer 31:9, Jer 50:4, Jer 50:5 to seek: Psa 5:8, Psa 107:2-8, Psa 143:8-10; Pro 3:6; Isa 30:21, Isa 35:8, Isa 42:16, Isa 49:10; Jer 10:23 for our little ones: Num 14:3, Num 14:31; Psa 8:2; Mar 10:13-16; Act 2:39 Ezra 8:22”