In this chapter, the exiles who returned rebuilt the altar of the Lord and completed the foundation to the new Temple of God. The chapter begins, “Now in early autumn, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled together as one person in Jerusalem. Then Jeshua son of Jehozadak with his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his family began to rebuild the altar of the God of Israel so they could sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as instructed in the law of Moses, the man of God. Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. (Yes…the Lord tells us to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS, and they were doing just that!) Then they immediately began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the Lord. They did this each morning and evening.” (Ezra 3:1-3)
Now that the altar has been rebuilt, the Israelites began to celebrate all the festivals and perform burnt offerings, as outlined in the law of Moses. (Yes…follow God’s Word!)
The People Rebuild the Temple
“Then they hired masons and carpenters and bought cedar logs from the people of Tyre and Sidon, paying them with food, wine, and olive oil. The logs were brought down from the Lebanon mountains and floated along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa, for King Cyrus had given permission for this.
The construction of the Temple of God began in midspring, during the second year after they arrived in Jerusalem. The work force was made up of everyone who had returned from exile, including Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jehozadak and his fellow priests, and all the Levites. The Levites who were twenty years old or older were put in charge of rebuilding the Lord’s Temple. The workers at the Temple of God were supervised by Jeshua with his sons and relatives, and Kadmiel and his sons, all descendants of Hodaviah. They were helped in this task by the Levites of the family of Henadad.
When the builders completed the foundation of the Lord’s Temple, the priests put on their robes and took their places to blow their trumpets. And the Levites, descendants of Asaph, clashed their cymbals to praise the Lord, just as King David had prescribed. With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord:
“He is so good!
His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”
Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the Lord because the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had been laid.” (Ezra 3:7-11) (Yes, Lord! You are amazing!)
The chapter ends with the people shouting for joy, as well as crying in remembrance of the first Temple.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! You are certainly worthy to be praised. Help us continually sing praises to you for your faithful love that endures forever! We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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