Matthew Henry Commentary Ezra 8:31-36

"Then we departed from the river Ahava on the twelfth [day] of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and he delivered us from the hand of the enemy and the lier-in-wait by the way. And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. And on the fourth day the silver and the gold and the vessels were weighed in the house of our God into the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, the Levite; the whole by number and by weight: and all the weight was written at that time. The children of the captivity, that were come out of exile, offered burnt-offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he-goats for a sin-offering: all this was a burnt-offering unto Jehovah. And they delivered the king`s commissions unto the king`s satraps, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and the house of God." — Ezra 8:31-36 (ASV)

Enemies lay in wait for the Jews, but God protected them. Even the common perils of journeys call us to go out with prayer and to return with praise and thanksgiving. But what should we render when the Lord has led us safely through the pilgrimage of life, through the gloomy valley of death, out of the reach of all our enemies, and into everlasting happiness!

Among their sacrifices, they had a sin offering. The atonement sweetens and secures every mercy to us, which will not be truly comfortable unless sin is taken away and our peace is made with God.

Then the church had rest. The expressions used here direct us to the deliverance of sinners from spiritual bondage and their pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerusalem, under the care and protection of their God and Saviour.