As a testimony to his confidence that God would protect them Ezra deliberately declined to request a military escort for the journey (Ezra 8:22). They would be carrying a great amount of material wealth with them (Ezra 7:15-23; 8:25-30), and there was real danger of robbery along the way. Ezra, therefore, proclaimed a time of fasting and prayer before beginning the long journey (Ezra 8:21-23), and God did indeed protect them all the way.

Source:

KJV Defenders Study Bible, by Dr. Henry Morris, Ph.D.
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Language: English
DEF 10 ISBN 0-529-10444-x
DEF 10-1 ISBN 0-529-10445-8