Ezra 8:31

The twelfth day. On the first day of the month the company of travelers began to assemble (Ezra 7:9), but during the three days’ encampment at the appointed place of meeting (Ezra 8:15) Ezra discovered that no priests or Levites had responded to his appeal. Thereupon he took the measures described in Ezra 8:16-20, to induce certain Levites and Nethinims to accompany them. Upon the arrival of these men Ezra ordained a fast to supplicate divine protection for the journey, and committed the sacred treasures to the care of the priests and Levites. Eight more days elapsed while these preparations for departure were being made, and the start from the river Ahava did not actually take place till the 12th day.

Such as lay in wait. Ezra’s fears were justified, and the dangers were real, but faith in divine protection was rewarded. We are not told how deliverance from their enemies was accomplished, but God in His own way took care of those who were consecrated to Him and who placed their trust in Him. The hand of God led Ezra and his fellow travelers safely through all the perils of the way, and brought them without loss or damage to their destination.