Thus, "according to the good hand of his God upon him," Ezra had persuaded the king to make abundant provision for the return of all the people of Israel and of the priests and Levites in the Medo-Persian realm, who were minded "of their own free will to go up to Jerusalem." Verses 9, 13. Thus again the children of the dispersion were given opportunity to return to the land with the possession of which were linked the promises to the house of Israel. 612 This decree brought great rejoicing to those who had been uniting with Ezra in a study of God's purposes concerning His people. "Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers," Ezra exclaimed, "which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: and hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counselors, and before all the king's mighty princes." Verses 27, 28.

"Eftersom hans Guds gode hånd var over ham" var det lykkedes Ezra at formå kongen til at give sit samtykke til, at alle de israelitter, præster og levitter, som boede i Medo-Perserriget og var "til sinds at drage til Jerusalem", måtte rejse. 9. og 13. vers. Således gik det til, at der endnu engang blev givet israelitterne tilladelse til at vende tilbage til det land, som løfterne til Israels hus var knyttet til. Dette dekret vakte stor jubel blandt de mennesker, der havde gransket Guds planer for sit folk sammen med Ezra. "Lovet være Herren, vore fædres Gud, som indgav kongen sådanne tanker for at herliggøre Herrens hus i Jerusalem og vandt mig nåde hos kongen og hans rådgivere og alle kongens mægtige fyrster!" 27-28. vers,