SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:21
¶ Y publiqué ayuno allí junto al río de Ahava, para afligirnos delante de nuestro Dios, para buscar de él camino derecho para nosotros, y para nuestros niños, y para toda nuestra hacienda.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 21. Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava , etc.] After the messengers to Iddo were returned with those they brought with them: that we might afflict ourselves before our God ; humble themselves before him for their sins, confess them, and declare their repentance of them, and ask forgiveness for them: to seek of him a right way for us ; to take from thence towards Jerusalem, to be directed by him in it: either by a prophet, or by a vision in a dream, as Eben Ezra; or rather by the guidance of his providence; this they sought in prayer by the river side, where it had been usual with them, and since has been, to perform religious exercises, (see Ezekiel 1:1 3:15 Acts 16:13), hence Tertullian calls the prayers of the Jews “orationes littorales”; they sought not so much which was the shortest and easiest way for them to travel in, as which was the safest: and for our little ones and for all our substance ; for the safe conveyance of them; this shows, that though males only are numbered, as before, yet they had their wives and children with them; for little ones cannot be supposed without women to take care of them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 21-23 - Ezra procured Levites to go with him; but what will that avail, unles he have God with him? Those who seek God, are safe under the shadow of his wings, even in their greatest dangers; but those who forsake him are always exposed. When entering upon any new state of life, our car should be, to bring none of the guilt of the sins of our forme condition into it. When we are in any peril, let us be at peace with God, and then nothing can do us any real hurt. All our concerns abou ourselves, our families, and our estates, it is our wisdom and duty, by prayer to commit to God, and to leave the care of them with him. And on some occasions, we should decline advantages which are within ou reach, lest we should cause others to stumble, and so our God be dishonoured. Let us ask wisdom of God, that we may know how to use of to refuse lawful things. We shall be no losers by venturing, suffering or giving up for the Lord's sake. Their prayers were answered, and the event declared it. Never have any that sought God in earnest, foun that they sought him in vain. In times of difficulty and danger, to se a season apart for secret or for social prayer, is the best method for relief we can take.
Original Hebrew
ואקרא 7121 שׁם 8033 צום 6685 על 5921 הנהר 5104 אהוא 163 להתענות 6031 לפני 6440 אלהינו 430 לבקשׁ 1245 ממנו 4480 דרך 1870 ישׁרה 3477 לנו ולטפנו 2945 ולכל 3605 רכושׁנו׃ 7399
