עזרא, פרק ח׳, פסוק כ״ג

Facing the dangers of a long and uncertain journey, the people are filled with fear. To secure a safe passage, they turn to fasting and prayer. They specifically ask God to guide them along a straight path, pleading with Him to remove any obstacles that might stand in their way [מצודת דוד, אבן עזרא]. Their devotion is met with divine favor, as God accepts their prayers and answers their call [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The practical result of this divine acceptance is clear, as the people successfully navigate the dangerous roads and arrive safely in Jerusalem [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A natural question arises regarding how Ezra and the people actually knew that God had heard them and granted their request. The primary approach among commentators is that this divine reassurance was communicated directly to them, either through a vision in a dream or by means of a prophetic message [אבן עזרא, מצודת דוד]. This good news may have been delivered to the people by a prophet. Alternatively, the prophecy could have been given directly to Ezra himself, aligning with the perspective that identifies Ezra as the prophet Malachi [רלב״ג].