Ezra - Chapter 3

Ezra 3.1 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. Ezra 3.2 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. Ezra 3.3 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. Ezra 3.4 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; Ezra 3.5 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. Ezra 3.6 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. Ezra 3.7 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. Ezra 3.8 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. Ezra 3.9 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. Ezra 3.10 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. Ezra 3.11 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. Ezra 3.12 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: Ezra 3.13 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 noise was heard afar off.

Ezra : Chapter 3

The Resumption of Worship in Jerusalem

Chapter 3 of the Book of Ezra presents us with a key moment in the history of God's people: the resumption of worship in Jerusalem. This fundamental text describes how the Israelites, after a long exile, reestablished their relationship with the Lord through the rebuilding of the altar, the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the laying of the foundations of the new temple.

An Act of Faith and Joy

This chapter highlights the importance of corporate worship in the lives of the restored people. It also reveals the mixture of joy and sorrow that accompanied the comparison between the new temple and the old. Despite the apparent differences, commitment to the worship of God remains the priority of this newly formed community.

Five Enlightening Bible Passages

To better understand the themes of worship and new beginnings present in Ezra 3, let's examine five significant biblical passages together.

Psalm 137:1-4

"By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept for Zion. There, on the banks, we hung up our harps, for our captors asked us for songs, our oppressors demanded joyful songs; they said, 'Sing to us the songs of Zion!' How could we sing the Lord's songs in a foreign land? ?"

This psalm expresses the deep desire to restore worship in Jerusalem, a desire that is fulfilled in Ezra chapter 3.

Haggai 2:3

"Who among you saw this temple in its first splendor? How do you see it now? Does it not seem to him as nothing?"

This passage from Haggai echoes the rebuilding of the temple as described in Ezra 3, reminding us of the importance of every effort to honor God.

Zechariah 4:9

"The Zerubbabel's hands laid the foundation of this temple; your hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you."

This prophecy of Zechariah underlines Zerubbabel's essential role in the rebuilding of the temple, a symbol of God's commitment to his people.

2 Chronicles 7:6

"The priests were in their places, as were the Levites with the musical instruments of the Lord, which King David had made to praise the Lord, and with which he praised Him, saying, 'His steadfast love endures forever.' On the other side, the priests were blowing the trumpets, and all the people were standing."

This description of worship in the first temple evokes the restoration of worship in Ezra 3, recalling The importance of communal worship.

Exodus 23:16

"Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering with the firstfruits of your labor in the field. Celebrate the Feast of the Closing of the Grape Harvest at the end of the year when you reap the harvest in the field."

The celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Ezra 3 is directly linked to this instruction from Exodus, emphasizing the importance of religious festivities for God's people.

Conclusion

Ezra chapter 3 reminds us that, despite the challenges and memories of the past, the worship of God must always be at the center of our community life. By gathering to honor the Lord, we participate in a divine work that transcends time and circumstances.