Ezra’s journey
Day 286, Saturday, May 24
Ezra 7:11 – Chapter 8
King Artaxerxes of Persia gave Ezra a letter granting him essentially authority to govern in Jerusalem along with a generous gift of silver and gold. Ezra received additional silver and gold as an offering from the people.
He also instructed the local governors to provide additional support for the temple construction, and to exempt from taxation those involved in building and operating the temple.
Ezra, though, finds himself in a bit of a dilemma, as he does not want to ask Artaxerxes for soldiers to protect him and his group as they journey to Jerusalem. This is a concern with the amount of silver and gold they have, but he also doesn’t want to look like he doesn’t trust God to keep them safe on the journey.
In the end he divides the valuables among the leaders of the people, charging each with keeping their portion safe along the way. This may also be a test of the honesty of the leaders to ensure that as much arrives in Jerusalem as left with the group.

Saturday meditation

Proverbs 28:17-18
Anyone tormented by the guilt of murder will seek refuge in the grave; let no one hold them back.
The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.

Prayer focus
God, protect us along the way in the journeys of our lives.

-Rev. Mark Fleming