Ezra 8:21

EZRA PROCLAIMS A FAST FOR THREE DAYS

"Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken unto the king saying, The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him for good; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was entreated of us."

"I proclaimed a fast there at the river Ahava" (Ezra 8:21). Ezra had good reason behind this proclamation. Due to his previous remarks to the king, he was ashamed to request a military escort to Jerusalem; and, since he was transporting a vast sum of money, and as the way was always a dangerous one, he felt a special need of God's protection.

Fasting, as a means of seeking God's favor, was a common practice in Israel; and even in the New Testament, Jesus prophesied that his followers would fast (Matthew 6:15; 8:14).

There was a long tradition in Israel that the rulers had the authority to proclaim a fast; and one was even called by Jezebel (1 Kings 21:12).

"And he was entreated of us" (Ezra 8:23). Ezra wrote this after his safe arrival in Jerusalem; but here he included this word that God had indeed answered their prayers. As a consequence of their prayers, "The journey was successfully accomplished, God's gracious protection delivering them from the bands of enemies and marauders."[12]