Ezra 8:21

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

I proclaimed

Afflict ourselves

Jeremiah 50:4

To seek

For our little ones

General references

Jeremiah 42:3

Bible References

I proclaimed

The people of Israel went up to Bethel and mourned. They sat there in Jehovah's presence and fasted until evening. They offered fellowship sacrifices and burned some sacrifices whole in the presence of Jehovah.

The Israelites gathered at Mizpah. They drew some water, poured it out in front of Jehovah and fasted that day. They confessed: We have sinned against Jehovah. So Samuel judged Israel in Mizpah.

Jehoshaphat was frightened and decided to ask for Jehovah's help. He announced a fast throughout Judah.

Sanctify a fast! Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the House of Jehovah your God. Call out to Jehovah.

Even now, said Jehovah, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning!

The people of Nineveh believed God and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

Afflict ourselves

The following regulations are to be observed for a long lasting time to come. On the tenth day of the seventh month the Israelites and the foreigners living among them must fast and must not do any work.

Those who do not humble themselves on that day will be excluded from the people.

Why have we fasted and you do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and you do not notice? Behold, on the day of your fast you find desire, and mistreat all your workers.'

I am bringing them from the North Country. I will gather them from the remote parts of the earth. Among them are the blind and the lame, the woman with child and she who is in labor with child. As a great company they will return here.

In those days and at that time, declares Jehovah, the sons of Israel will come. Both they and the sons of Judah will go along weeping as they go. They will seek Jehovah their God.

To seek

O Jehovah, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight in my presence.

Let the redeemed by Jehovah say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the adversary,

Let me hear your loving kindness in the morning. For I trust in you! Teach me the way in which I should walk for to you I am lifted up.

In all your ways acknowledge (recognize) Him and He will make your paths straight.

You will hear a voice behind you say: This is the way. Walk in it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.

There will be a highway there, called: The Road of Holiness. No sinner will ever travel that road. No fools will mislead those who follow it.

I will lead my blind people by roads they have never traveled. I will turn their darkness into light and make rough country smooth before them. I will keep my promises without fail.

They will never be hungry or thirsty. The sun and the burning hot wind will not strike them. The one who has compassion on them will lead them and guide them to springs.

O Jehovah, I know that humans are not able to govern their own lives. Humans cannot administer their own steps.

For our little ones

Why is Jehovah bringing us to this land? Is it just to have us die in battle? Our wives and children will be taken as prisoners of war! Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?

From the mouths of little children and infants, you have built a fortress against your opponents to silence the enemy and the avenger.

People were bringing little children to him so he could touch them. His disciples turned them away.

The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as Jehovah our God calls. (Micah 4:5) (Deuteronomy 6:4)

General references

Pray that Jehovah our God will show us the way we should go and what we should do.