Ezra 7-8

Finally, in Ezra 7, Ezra himself comes into the picture as a leader of a 2nd return from exile
~Ezra's return takes place about 80 years after that of Zerubbabel
~Ezra's return takes place about 60 years after chapter 6
~Ezra's return takes place about 15 years after the story of Esther

Ezra (background)
~ He was a priest by descent (Aaronic)
~ He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses
~ He was in the favor of the King of Persia
~ He led a return to Jerusalem, bringing many others with him
~ After 4 months of travel, the group arrived

4 Themes emerge throughout in the events of their journey
These themes show some important aspects of a successful journey

1. A successful journey must have committed participants
Ezra was committed to His God and the Scriptures. He was committed to traveling to Jerusalem. Many other committed Jews returned with him (priests, levites, singers, gatekeepers, temple servants). In chapter 8 we are told the detail that, originally, no Levites showed up for the return trip. Ezra shows the importance of having committed participants by refusing to leave with people to fulfill that important role.

2. A successful journey requires great faith in God to sovereignly govern the situation
It was by God's hand that the Persian King favored Ezra. Ezra, in fact, was lavished with the good favor of the King. Not only did he allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem, he resourced them for the trip! He provided them with silver, gold & offerings and even commanded them to buy what was necessary to restore the sacrificial system. Further, he made it that the temple workers would not be taxed. In another act of faith, Ezra refused the aid of Persian soldiers for the journey. He had been claiming God as his protector throughout his time in Babylon and was no willing to demonstrate that faith to the King.

3. A successful journey requires accountability (in this case, financial)
Ezra was very careful to count and document all the resources given before the trip began and to do the same when the journey was completed. This demonstrated 2 things. First, it demonstrated that none of those journeying were benefiting personally from the offerings. Second, it demonstrated that God had indeed protected them on their dangerous trip across the middle east.

4. A successful journey requires prayer & worship
At the beginning of the journey, Ezra declared a fast during which the people petitioned God for protection. Upon the completion of the journey the people made sacrifices to God. Thus, the journey was surrounded by prayer and worship to the God of Israel.