Ezra 3
Ezra 3 describes the return of the Israelites from exile and their efforts to restore the worship of God in Jerusalem. The chapter focuses on the rebuilding of the altar, the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the laying of the foundation of the temple. It highlights the people's desire to restore their relationship with God through worship and obedience to the Law of Moses.
Ezra 3:1-5 (NKJV)
1 And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem.
2 Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.
3 Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening burnt offerings.
4 They also kept the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings in the number required by ordinance for each day.
5 Afterwards they offered the regular burnt offering, and those for New Moons and for all the appointed feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and those of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to the Lord.
The Israelites, under the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel, prioritized the rebuilding of the altar even before constructing the temple. Despite fear of the surrounding nations, they committed to worshipping God, following the Law of Moses by offering morning and evening sacrifices. The Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated, demonstrating their faithfulness to God’s appointed feasts, while they also offered sacrifices for New Moons and freewill offerings, illustrating their devotion and willingness to restore proper worship.
Ezra 3:6 (NKJV)
6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, although the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid.
The people started offering burnt offerings from the first day of the seventh month, showing their dedication to restoring worship immediately, even though the temple’s foundation had not yet been laid. This highlights the importance they placed on reestablishing a connection with God through sacrifice, even in the absence of a physical temple.
Ezra 3:7 (NKJV)
7 They also gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the permission which they had from Cyrus king of Persia.
The people provided resources for rebuilding the temple, including money and supplies for the workers. They arranged for cedar logs to be brought from Lebanon, reminiscent of the materials used in Solomon’s temple. This effort was made possible through the decree of King Cyrus, who permitted the Israelites to return and rebuild.
Ezra 3:8 (NKJV)
8 Now in the second month of the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began work and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and above to oversee the work of the house of the Lord.
Two years after their return, the rebuilding of the temple officially began. Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the priests organized the work, with the Levites aged twenty and above overseeing the project. This demonstrates the structured and deliberate approach to reconstructing the temple, ensuring that proper leadership and spiritual oversight were in place.
Ezra 3:9 (NKJV)
9 Then Jeshua with his sons and brothers, Kadmiel with his sons, and the sons of Judah, arose as one to oversee those working on the house of God: the sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
The leaders and Levites, united in purpose, oversaw the rebuilding work, ensuring that the construction of the temple followed the correct guidelines. Their unity symbolizes the collective effort of the people to restore worship and rebuild the house of God, emphasizing their shared commitment to this sacred task.
Ezra 3:10-11 (NKJV)
10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the ordinance of David king of Israel.
11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.
The laying of the temple's foundation was a momentous occasion marked by worship and praise. The priests and Levites, following the instructions of David, led the people in singing praises to God, celebrating His enduring mercy toward Israel. This was not just a physical act of building but a spiritual renewal, signified by the joyful shouting of the people as they witnessed this significant step toward restoring the temple.
Ezra 3:12-13 (NKJV)
12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy,
13 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 sound was heard afar off.
While the younger generation rejoiced at the progress, many of the older men who had seen Solomon’s temple wept, remembering the former glory of the temple that had been destroyed. The mixed emotions of joy and sorrow were so strong that they blended together into one overwhelming sound. This reaction reflects the bittersweet moment—joy for the restoration but sadness for what had been lost. The sound reached far beyond the city, symbolizing the deep significance of this moment for the nation of Israel.