Ezra 7:27-28

Ezra’s thanksgiving 7:27-28

Ezra recognized and acknowledged that God had moved Artaxerxes to do what he had done (cf. Proverbs 21:1). "Lovingkindness" (Ezra 7:28) is more precisely "loyal love" (Heb. hesed). This Hebrew word has linguistic connections to the word translated "stork," a bird known for its affectionate devotion to its young. Yahweh was proving faithful to His promises to care for His chosen people. Again Ezra acknowledged God’s enabling grace in his life (Ezra 7:28).

"What makes the Jews’ restoration so remarkable is not simply that they should return, but that kings should supply their needs in relation to worship (cf. Ezra 7:27). It is this that makes the ’new exodus’ so evidently an act of God’s salvation." [Note: McConville, p. 59.]

Compare the gifts that the Egyptians gave the Israelites at the first Exodus (Exodus 12:36).