IN the decree given to Ezra by Artaxerxes Longimanus as recorded in Ezra 7, a decree which marks the commencement of the seventy weeks, and of the longer period of twenty-three hundred days, we find these remarkable words: “Whatsoever is commanded by the God of Heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?” Verse 23. What does the king mean by saying, “Why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?” It is a declaration on his part that he felt assured that unless he did grant this decree for the restoration of Jerusalem, he would expose himself and his kingdom after him to the judgment and wrath of the God of Heaven. But from what source had he received this impression? It must have been from the representation made to him by Ezra, who had requested of the king the favors which this decree bestowed. Thus incidentally (for we have no direct record in the case) is the curtain lifted, permitting us to behold the course taken by Ezra, and the boldness with which he acted in this matter. Again in chap. 8:22, we find another passage giving us a little further insight into the internal history of this movement. Ezra started on his perilous journey to Jerusalem, perilous, because he bore immense sums of treasure, and because a great portion of his company consisted of women and children who would be an easy prey to bandits and marauders, without an escort or a guard; and in verse 22, he tells us why he did so: “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.” It is here revealed that the Spirit of God had led Ezra to plead before the king the privileges which God vouchsafes to his people, how his hand would guide and uphold all those who would seek him, but be against all who should forsake him; and having committed himself to this declaration, he must act consistent therewith, and having assured the king that God would stand by and strengthen him, he could not deny his own words by asking the protection of the king’s horsemen and soldiers, as though he could not make the journey without their aid. To appreciate the bold position of Ezra before the king, consider a moment his situation. He was a captive in a strange land, and the request he had to make was one which the king would most naturally consider against his own interest and the interest of his kingdom, namely, to let a great body of captives who had doubtless become a profitable portion of his subjects, depart out of the kingdom, and to suffer the rebuilding of a city which had been considered the stronghold of a fractious and rebellious people. It was a bold step for Ezra to simply make this request; how much bolder to urge it under threatenings of wrath from God against the king! How must the king have felt when listening to the bold request of one of his captive subjects, and his threatenings of wrath unless it was granted! And how must Ezra have felt while thus threatening wrath upon the king, the person who held in his hand not only the life of Ezra, but the lives of all his people! And with what astonishment must all have looked upon what to them must have seemed like an act of presumption! But Ezra pressed his case, gathered his company, and took his departure for Jerusalem. Such was his confidence in God; and it was not disappointed. God, he tells us, was entreated of them, and his good hand was upon them. And that move has given the student of prophecy a starting point for the most important prophetic periods on the inspired page, and from it have resulted all the fulfillments of God’s word which afterward took place in Jewish history. What a lesson for the people of God in all subsequent ages! We want more of that faith which Ezra had, which will boldly commit itself to God’s word, and take its stand to carry out his purpose, though kings and kingdoms should stand in the way. But first we want Ezra’s communion with God, and his knowledge of the divine will.