And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord.
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord.
Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Ezra 3 marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel: the return from exile and the initial steps toward rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. This chapter beautifully illustrates the people's renewed commitment to God and their determination to restore true worship, even amidst challenges and mixed emotions. The events described in Ezra 3 highlight key principles about faith, obedience, and the enduring power of God's promises.
Re-establishing the Altar and Worship (Ezra 3:1-7)
The narrative begins with the gathering of the people in Jerusalem in the seventh month (Ezra 3:1). Under the leadership of Jeshua the priest, a descendant of Aaron, and Zerubbabel, a civil leader from the Davidic line (Ezra 3:2), the people united to rebuild the altar of the God of Israel. This demonstrates the importance of authorized leadership in guiding the community toward spiritual renewal.
Significantly, the first act of the returning exiles was not to rebuild the temple itself, but to reconstruct the altar and reinstate the practice of offering burnt offerings (Ezra 3:2). This prioritisation of worship reflects a profound understanding of their past failures. The destruction of the temple and the subsequent exile were consequences of their ancestors' neglecting the worship of the Lord. By restoring the altar, they were reaffirming their commitment to the Mosaic covenant and its requirements, determined to worship God rightly.
The text emphasizes that they offered burnt offerings "as it is written in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 3:2). This adherence to God's Word demonstrates their desire to obey God's commands and to follow His prescribed way of worship.
Despite being surrounded by hostile peoples and facing potential opposition (Ezra 3:3), the Israelites offered burnt offerings to the Lord. Their fear of God outweighed their fear of man. This is a crucial lesson for believers today: true worship requires courage and a willingness to prioritize God's will above all else.
Following the re-establishment of the altar, they celebrated the Festival of Shelters (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths) (Ezra 3:4). This festival served as a powerful reminder of God's provision during their ancestors' forty-year journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. For these returning exiles, it was a second exodus, and the celebration served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision throughout their history.
With the sacrificial system restored, the people contributed resources – money, food, drink, and oil – to support those who supplied materials and those who would work on the temple (Ezra 3:7). This collective effort demonstrates the importance of community involvement and shared responsibility in the work of God.
Laying the Foundation and Mixed Emotions (Ezra 3:8-13)
In the second year after their return, the foundation of the temple was laid (Ezra 3:8). This marked a significant milestone in the rebuilding process and ignited a wave of celebration among the people.
The event was marked by a mixture of joy and sorrow (Ezra 3:10-13). While the younger generation rejoiced and shouted with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord (Ezra 3:11), the older priests, Levites, and family leaders who had witnessed the glory of Solomon's temple wept loudly (Ezra 3:12). Their tears stemmed from the realization that the new temple, though significant, would not match the splendor of the former one.
This contrasting response highlights the complexities of human emotions in the face of both progress and loss. While it is important to celebrate God's blessings and new beginnings, it is also natural to grieve for what has been lost. The key is to maintain a proper perspective, recognizing that God's presence and faithfulness are not dependent on material grandeur.
The loud mixture of joyful shouts and weeping created a cacophony that could be heard from afar (Ezra 3:13). This vivid image underscores the intensity of the moment and the deep emotions experienced by the people.
The beginning of the temple's foundation occurred approximately seventy years after Nebuchadnezzar's initial deportation of Jews to Babylon in 605 BC. Some scholars see this as the end of the seventy-year Babylonian exile, while others mark its conclusion with the completion of the temple in 515 BC, beginning the count with the destruction of Jerusalem and the final deportation to Babylon in 586 BC.
Ezra 3 provides a powerful glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding not just a physical structure, but also a nation's faith and identity. The chapter reminds us of the importance of prioritizing worship, obeying God's Word, and persevering in the face of adversity. Even in the midst of mixed emotions and the awareness of past glories, the foundation of faith laid in Ezra 3 served as a vital step toward a restored relationship with God.
And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the Lord, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord.
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the Lord. But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid.
They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord.
Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
Ezra 3 marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel: the return from exile and the initial steps toward rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. This chapter beautifully illustrates the people's renewed commitment to God and their determination to restore true worship, even amidst challenges and mixed emotions. The events described in Ezra 3 highlight key principles about faith, obedience, and the enduring power of God's promises.
Re-establishing the Altar and Worship (Ezra 3:1-7)
The narrative begins with the gathering of the people in Jerusalem in the seventh month (Ezra 3:1). Under the leadership of Jeshua the priest, a descendant of Aaron, and Zerubbabel, a civil leader from the Davidic line (Ezra 3:2), the people united to rebuild the altar of the God of Israel. This demonstrates the importance of authorized leadership in guiding the community toward spiritual renewal.
Significantly, the first act of the returning exiles was not to rebuild the temple itself, but to reconstruct the altar and reinstate the practice of offering burnt offerings (Ezra 3:2). This prioritisation of worship reflects a profound understanding of their past failures. The destruction of the temple and the subsequent exile were consequences of their ancestors' neglecting the worship of the Lord. By restoring the altar, they were reaffirming their commitment to the Mosaic covenant and its requirements, determined to worship God rightly.
The text emphasizes that they offered burnt offerings "as it is written in the Law of Moses" (Ezra 3:2). This adherence to God's Word demonstrates their desire to obey God's commands and to follow His prescribed way of worship.
Despite being surrounded by hostile peoples and facing potential opposition (Ezra 3:3), the Israelites offered burnt offerings to the Lord. Their fear of God outweighed their fear of man. This is a crucial lesson for believers today: true worship requires courage and a willingness to prioritize God's will above all else.
Following the re-establishment of the altar, they celebrated the Festival of Shelters (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths) (Ezra 3:4). This festival served as a powerful reminder of God's provision during their ancestors' forty-year journey through the wilderness after the Exodus from Egypt. For these returning exiles, it was a second exodus, and the celebration served as a reminder of God's faithfulness and provision throughout their history.
With the sacrificial system restored, the people contributed resources – money, food, drink, and oil – to support those who supplied materials and those who would work on the temple (Ezra 3:7). This collective effort demonstrates the importance of community involvement and shared responsibility in the work of God.
Laying the Foundation and Mixed Emotions (Ezra 3:8-13)
In the second year after their return, the foundation of the temple was laid (Ezra 3:8). This marked a significant milestone in the rebuilding process and ignited a wave of celebration among the people.
The event was marked by a mixture of joy and sorrow (Ezra 3:10-13). While the younger generation rejoiced and shouted with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord (Ezra 3:11), the older priests, Levites, and family leaders who had witnessed the glory of Solomon's temple wept loudly (Ezra 3:12). Their tears stemmed from the realization that the new temple, though significant, would not match the splendor of the former one.
This contrasting response highlights the complexities of human emotions in the face of both progress and loss. While it is important to celebrate God's blessings and new beginnings, it is also natural to grieve for what has been lost. The key is to maintain a proper perspective, recognizing that God's presence and faithfulness are not dependent on material grandeur.
The loud mixture of joyful shouts and weeping created a cacophony that could be heard from afar (Ezra 3:13). This vivid image underscores the intensity of the moment and the deep emotions experienced by the people.
The beginning of the temple's foundation occurred approximately seventy years after Nebuchadnezzar's initial deportation of Jews to Babylon in 605 BC. Some scholars see this as the end of the seventy-year Babylonian exile, while others mark its conclusion with the completion of the temple in 515 BC, beginning the count with the destruction of Jerusalem and the final deportation to Babylon in 586 BC.
Ezra 3 provides a powerful glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of rebuilding not just a physical structure, but also a nation's faith and identity. The chapter reminds us of the importance of prioritizing worship, obeying God's Word, and persevering in the face of adversity. Even in the midst of mixed emotions and the awareness of past glories, the foundation of faith laid in Ezra 3 served as a vital step toward a restored relationship with God.