Jehovah Wants Willing Servants

Ezra made preparations to return to Jerusalem

7:6, 22; 8:26, 27

• Ezra receives permission from King Artaxerxes to return to Jerusalem to advance worship of Jehovah there

• The king grants Ezra “everything he requested” for Jehovah’s house​—gold, silver, wheat, wine, oil, and salt, all worth well over $100,000,000 (U.S.) at modern values

Ezra trusted in Jehovah to protect His servants

7:13; 8:21-23

• The return to Jerusalem would be difficult

• The possible route was nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 km) through dangerous territory

• The journey took about 4 months

• Those who returned needed strong faith, zeal for true worship, and courage

EZRA TRAVELED WITH . . .

Gold and silver weighing over 750 talents, or about the weight of 3 full-grown male African elephants!

CHALLENGES FACED BY RETURNEES . . .

Marauder bands, desert terrain, dangerous wildlife