For I was ashamed to require 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 for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
I was too embarrassed to ask the king for soldiers and cavalry to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had already told the king, 'Our God watches over and blesses everyone who seeks him, but his power and anger are against those who abandon him.'
Ezra was embarrassed to ask for military protection because he had already boasted to the king about God's ability to protect those who trust in him.
📚 Historical Context
Ezra was leading a group of Jewish exiles from Babylon back to Jerusalem around 458 BC, carrying valuable temple treasures. The journey was dangerous due to bandits and hostile tribes along the route. Ezra had previously testified to King Artaxerxes about God's faithfulness, so requesting military escort would have seemed to contradict his faith.
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