“ For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, “The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him.”” -  Ezra 8:22 (ESV)

Before the Southern Kingdom of Judah was taking captive and exiled (for the most part) to Babylon and other cities of the Chaldeans, Jeremiah had delivered God’s prophecy that it would happen. Jeremiah also delivered a prophecy of promise (Jeremiah 24:6) from God that He would bring them back to the land. Ezra was a scribe, that is someone who studied the Law of Moses and was an authority on the same. When Cyrus became king of Persia, God fulfills that promise and motivates Cyrus to send at least some of the people back to Jerusalem. It is action that fulfills God’s prophecy through Jeremiah. “in order to fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, (Ezra 1:1)”  The journey to Jerusalem would be long and dangerous, on the roads were thieves who robbed for survival. Caravans traveled with protection for safety. Ezra and the people who had professed his trust in God for protection did not want to confuse the king regarding their trust in God’s protection so they entreated Him for safety with a prayerful fast. God honored their prayer of faith with His protection. God promises and God delivers on his promises.

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