READ: Ezra 3
In
chapter 3 the actual rebuilding starts. Zerubbabel, the grandson of Jehoiachin,
the last king of Judah, is clearly the leader along with the priest, Jeshua (or
Joshua). It is the seventh month – the month of Tishri – during which there are
many significant Jewish holidays including Yom Kippur and the Feast of Booths.
Yom Kippur was the Day of Atonement, a day of fasting and repentance for the
sins of the previous year, and was followed by the Feast of Booths, a festival
which required all the Jews to gather together in Jerusalem in remembrance of
the exodus from Egypt. We see unity among the people of Israel in how they
“gathered as one man to Jerusalem.” The rebuilding of the altar was of utmost
importance upon their arrival, as it had been for their ancestors when they
entered the Promised Land centuries before (see Deut 27:1-8). The altar
sacrifices as acts of worship were Solomon’s purpose for building the temple in
the first place. He sought to build a house dedicated to the Lord where sweet
sacrifices could be made and Yahweh could be worshipped forever (see 2 Chr
2:4).
The
focus on rebuilding the altar immediately showed that single-hearted devotion
to Yahweh was the defining characteristic of the people of Israel. The
offerings and sacrifices presented at the altar were sacred means of fellowship
with the Lord, including praise, thanksgiving, repentance, the making of vows,
and intimate communion meals between the worshipper and God. For 70 years the
people had been surrounded by pagan shrines and temples without a place to
properly worship Yahweh. So far, it seems the returnees are starting off on a
good foot. Though they are fearful of the surrounding people living in the land
(v 3) they forge on ahead, unlike their ancestors who, crippled by fear, refused
to enter the Promised Land and were thus punishment with 40 years in the
wilderness.
In
the second year of their return, the people begin the reconstruction of
Solomon’s temple, holding a dedication ceremony at the laying of the
foundation. The scene described at the end of the chapter is one of both joy
and sorrow. There is joy among the people as they rebuild what their enemies
had torn down, as they rebuild a house for the Lord after years of separation
due to their sin. But there is also sorrow, especially for the older generation
who remembers Solomon’s temple. Solomon was the wealthiest person in history;
he had unlimited resources and complete financial and political security when he
constructed a house for the Lord. The new temple described in the book of Ezra
obviously cannot compare to the grandeur of the original. Still, this is a
momentous occasion as the people rejoice in God’s goodness and steadfast love
which is clearly evident in the midst of this miracle.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. This chapter shows the people’s
longing to fellowship with the Lord. Do you share this longing? In our free
society, it is so easy to take our church, our Bibles and our time for granted.
We are so blessed with freedom to worship the Lord, and yet we often lack
passion and don’t use our time effectively for the Kingdom. Do you enjoy your
fellowship with the Lord? Do you spend time in worship, repentance and prayer?
Do you listen for His voice? If there are areas of dryness in your relationship
with Him, take some time to ask Him what is going on, and to show you any
changes you need to make. If you feel you are in a great place, thank Him for
the journey He has been taking you on!
2. The people were getting things in the
right order by establishing the altar immediately upon arrival. Check the order
of your heart. Is there any area where God is not exalted in first place? Here
are some questions you may want to ask to bring revelation:
a. Is there anything in your life that
you don’t like to ask God about because you are afraid of what He might say?
b. Have you chosen to ignore a conviction
of the Holy Spirit?
c. Do you have days when you put God aside,
or areas of your life that you leave Him out of?
3. It’s easy to think about a time in our
lives when we felt closer to God or more “spiritually secure” and wish for it
back. In times like this, we struggle to see the Lord’s fingerprints in our
lives because we are comparing the present to the past. But God’s goodness and
steadfast love are eternal qualities. He is as good, as loving and as present
today as He was then. Spend some time thanking God for the qualities of His
character. Thank Him for specific goodness He is showing you right now, today.
Be encouraged that “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to
completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (see Phil 1:6) as you submit to Him.
