עזרא, פרק ז׳, פסוק כ״ח

Recognizing God's guiding hand in human affairs is central to the journey back to the Land of Israel. Once political support is secured, it immediately translates into the practical work of organizing the return. It was God who granted favor and goodwill before the king [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This divine kindness extended far beyond the monarch himself. It influenced his inner circle, specifically the seven close advisors who had direct access to the king [רש״י], along with all the royal officers [מצודת דוד].

Empowered by this sweeping support, a profound sense of personal strengthening took hold. This surge of confidence came directly from God's help accompanying the mission [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ] and the inner strength He provided [מצודת דוד].

Backed by both divine providence and royal authority, the immediate next step was to gather the leaders of the Israelites. These individuals were the heads of families and prominent figures among the Jews remaining in Babylon, assembled together with their households to make the journey to the Land of Israel [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The decision to rally the leadership first was a deliberate strategy, rooted in the understanding that once the leaders stepped forward, the rest of the nation would naturally follow their example and join the return [מצודת דוד].