Ezra 3
BSB1 By the seventh month, the Israelites had settled in their towns, and the people assembled as one man in Jerusalem. 2 Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. 3 They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings—even though they feared the people of the land. 4 They also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles in accordance with what is written, and they offered burnt offerings daily based on the number prescribed for each day. 5 After that, they presented the regular burnt offerings and those for New Moons and for all the appointed sacred feasts of the LORD, as well as all the freewill offerings brought to the LORD. 6 On the first day of the seventh month, the Israelites began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid. 7 They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia. 8 In the second month of the second year after they had arrived at the house of God in Jerusalem, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jozadak, and the rest of their associates including the priests, the Levites, and all who had returned to Jerusalem from the captivity, began the work. They appointed Levites twenty years of age or older to supervise the construction of the house of the LORD. 9 So Jeshua and his sons and brothers, Kadmiel and his sons (descendants of Yehudah), and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers—all Levites—joined together to supervise those working on the house of God. 10 When the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as David king of Israel had prescribed. 11 And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid. 12 But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple. Still, many others shouted joyfully. 13 The people could not distinguish the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from afar.
Study Notes — Ezra 3
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Ezra 3
- Themes from Ezra 3
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Ezra 3
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
The chapter begins with the Israelites gathering in Jerusalem to rebuild the altar and offer sacrifices to God (Ezra 3:1-3). They then lay the foundation of the temple, which is met with mixed emotions from the people (Ezra 3:8-13). The chapter concludes with the Israelites celebrating the completion of the foundation and looking forward to the completion of the temple. Key verses include Ezra 3:1, which describes the gathering of the people, and Ezra 3:11, which records the joyous celebration of the people. The chapter also references the importance of following God's commands, as seen in Ezra 3:2, where the people obey the command to build the altar.
Context for the Chapter
Ezra chapter 3 is part of the larger narrative of the Israelites' return from exile and their efforts to restore their homeland and their relationship with God. The chapter follows the events of Ezra chapter 2, which describes the Israelites' return to Jerusalem, and precedes Ezra chapter 4, which recounts the opposition they faced from their enemies. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes the importance of worship, obedience, and faithfulness to God.
Heart Application
As we reflect on this chapter, we are reminded of the importance of worship and obedience to God's commands. We are called to prioritize our relationship with God and to seek to honor Him in all that we do. We are also encouraged to persevere in the face of challenges and opposition, trusting in God's goodness and loving devotion towards us.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
This chapter is about the Israelites returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the temple. They start by rebuilding the altar and offering sacrifices to God. The people are joyful and celebrate the completion of the foundation of the temple. The chapter teaches us about the importance of worship, obedience, and faithfulness to God, as seen in Ezra 3:1-3 and Ezra 3:11.
Voices from the Church
“The foundation of the temple was laid with great joy and celebration, and so should we lay the foundation of our spiritual lives with great enthusiasm and devotion.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The Israelites' obedience to God's commands is a model for us, demonstrating the importance of submitting to God's will and following His laws.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Rebuilding of the Altar (Ezra 3:1-6) — The Israelites gather in Jerusalem and rebuild the altar, offering sacrifices to God.
- The Celebration of the Foundation (Ezra 3:7-13) — The Israelites lay the foundation of the temple and celebrate its completion with joy and praise.
- The Mixed Emotions of the People (Ezra 3:12-13) — The chapter notes the mixed emotions of the people, ranging from joy and celebration to sadness and mourning.
- The Importance of Obedience (Ezra 3:2) — The Israelites' obedience to God's commands is a key theme in the chapter, demonstrating the importance of submitting to God's will and following His laws.
- The Role of Leadership (Ezra 3:8-9) — The chapter highlights the role of leaders, such as Jeshua and Zerubbabel, in guiding the Israelites in their restoration efforts.
Core Doctrines
- The Importance of Worship
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship and sacrifice to God, demonstrating the Israelites' recognition of God's goodness and loving devotion towards them.
- The Role of Obedience
- The Israelites' obedience to God's commands is a key theme in the chapter, highlighting the importance of submitting to God's will and following His laws.
- The Significance of the Temple
- The temple represents the Israelites' place of worship and their relationship with God, demonstrating the importance of prioritizing our relationship with God.
- The Principle of Perseverance
- The chapter encourages us to persevere in the face of challenges and opposition, trusting in God's goodness and loving devotion towards us.
Lessons from Ezra 3
- The Importance of Prioritizing Worship — The chapter emphasizes the importance of prioritizing worship and sacrifice to God, demonstrating the Israelites' recognition of God's goodness and loving devotion towards them.
- The Role of Obedience in Our Lives — The Israelites' obedience to God's commands is a key theme in the chapter, highlighting the importance of submitting to God's will and following His laws.
- The Significance of Leadership — The chapter highlights the role of leaders, such as Jeshua and Zerubbabel, in guiding the Israelites in their restoration efforts.
- The Principle of Perseverance — The chapter encourages us to persevere in the face of challenges and opposition, trusting in God's goodness and loving devotion towards us.
- The Importance of Faithfulness — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faithfulness to God, demonstrating the Israelites' commitment to following God's laws and worshiping Him in spirit and truth.
Themes from Ezra 3
- Restoration and Renewal — The chapter describes the Israelites' return to Jerusalem and their efforts to restore their homeland and their relationship with God.
- Worship and Sacrifice — The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship and sacrifice to God, demonstrating the Israelites' recognition of God's goodness and loving devotion towards them.
- Obedience and Faithfulness — The Israelites' obedience to God's commands is a key theme in the chapter, highlighting the importance of submitting to God's will and following His laws.
- Leadership and Guidance — The chapter highlights the role of leaders, such as Jeshua and Zerubbabel, in guiding the Israelites in their restoration efforts.
- Perseverance and Trust — The chapter encourages us to persevere in the face of challenges and opposition, trusting in God's goodness and loving devotion towards us.
Questions for Meditation
- What can we learn from the Israelites' example of rebuilding the altar and offering sacrifices to God?
- How does the chapter emphasize the importance of obedience to God's commands?
- What role do leaders play in guiding God's people, as seen in the chapter?
- How does the chapter encourage us to persevere in the face of challenges and opposition?
- What does the chapter teach us about the significance of the temple and our relationship with God?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Rebuilding of the Altar (Ezra 3:1-6)
| Ezra 3:1 | The Israelites gather in Jerusalem to rebuild the altar and offer sacrifices to God. |
| Ezra 3:2 | The Israelites obey the command to build the altar, demonstrating their commitment to following God's laws. |
| Ezra 3:3 | The Israelites offer sacrifices to God, including burnt offerings and peace offerings. |
| Ezra 3:4 | The Israelites celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, which is a time of joy and celebration. |
| Ezra 3:5 | The Israelites offer daily sacrifices to God, demonstrating their commitment to worship and obedience. |
| Ezra 3:6 | The Israelites begin to offer sacrifices to God, even though the temple is not yet completed. |
2. The Celebration of the Foundation (Ezra 3:7-13)
| Ezra 3:7 | The Israelites pay the laborers who are working on the temple, demonstrating their commitment to completing the project. |
| Ezra 3:8 | The Israelites appoint Levites to oversee the work on the temple, highlighting the importance of leadership and guidance. |
| Ezra 3:9 | The Israelites lay the foundation of the temple, which is a significant milestone in their restoration efforts. |
| Ezra 3:10 | The Israelites celebrate the completion of the foundation with joy and praise, demonstrating their recognition of God's goodness and loving devotion towards them. |
| Ezra 3:11 | The Israelites sing and praise God, giving thanks for His loving devotion towards them. |
| Ezra 3:12 | The older priests and Levites are saddened by the comparison between the old and new temples, highlighting the mixed emotions of the people. |
| Ezra 3:13 | The people shout for joy, but the noise is also mixed with weeping, demonstrating the complex emotions of the Israelites. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the altar in the chapter?
The altar represents the Israelites' worship and sacrifice to God, and its rebuilding marks a significant step in their restoration. As seen in Ezra 3:1-3, the altar is a symbol of the Israelites' commitment to following God's laws and worshiping Him in spirit and truth.
Why do the Israelites celebrate the completion of the foundation?
The Israelites celebrate the completion of the foundation because it represents a significant milestone in their restoration efforts and demonstrates their commitment to rebuilding their place of worship. As seen in Ezra 3:10-11, the celebration is a time of joy and praise, highlighting the Israelites' recognition of God's goodness and loving devotion towards them.
What role do leaders play in the chapter?
Leaders, such as Jeshua and Zerubbabel, play a significant role in guiding the Israelites in their restoration efforts, as seen in Ezra 3:8-9. They oversee the work on the temple and help to ensure that the project is completed according to God's commands.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezra 3:1 → Deuteronomy 12:5-7 | The rebuilding of the altar is in accordance with God's commands in Deuteronomy 12:5-7, which emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in the place He chooses. |
| 2 | Ezra 3:2 → Joshua 24:15 | The Israelites' obedience to God's commands is a key theme in the chapter, highlighting the importance of submitting to God's will and following His laws, as seen in Joshua 24:15. |
| 3 | Ezra 3:3 → Leviticus 1:3-4 | The Israelites' offering of sacrifices to God is in accordance with God's commands in Leviticus 1:3-4, which emphasizes the importance of offering sacrifices to God. |
| 4 | Ezra 3:4 → Leviticus 23:34-43 | The Israelites' celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is in accordance with God's commands in Leviticus 23:34-43, which emphasizes the importance of celebrating God's festivals. |
| 5 | Ezra 3:5 → Numbers 28:1-8 | The Israelites' offering of daily sacrifices to God is in accordance with God's commands in Numbers 28:1-8, which emphasizes the importance of offering sacrifices to God on a daily basis. |
| 6 | Ezra 3:6 → 1 Chronicles 16:1-6 | The Israelites' offering of sacrifices to God, even though the temple is not yet completed, is a testament to their commitment to worship and obedience, as seen in 1 Chronicles 16:1-6. |
| 7 | Ezra 3:7 → Haggai 1:1-15 | The Israelites' payment of laborers who are working on the temple is in accordance with God's commands in Haggai 1:1-15, which emphasizes the importance of completing the temple. |
| 8 | Ezra 3:8 → Nehemiah 12:1-26 | The Israelites' appointment of Levites to oversee the work on the temple is in accordance with God's commands in Nehemiah 12:1-26, which emphasizes the importance of leadership and guidance in the temple. |
| 9 | Ezra 3:9 → Zechariah 4:6-10 | The Israelites' laying of the foundation of the temple is a significant milestone in their restoration efforts, as seen in Zechariah 4:6-10, which emphasizes the importance of completing the temple. |
| 10 | Ezra 3:11 → John 1:1 | The Israelites' praise and thanksgiving to God, as seen in Ezra 3:11, foreshadows the joy and celebration that will accompany the arrival of the Messiah, as seen in John 1:1. |
Sermons on Ezra 3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Ezra) ch.3 & 4 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of the potter and the clay from the book of Jeremiah. The speaker emphasizes that God does not give up on us even when we fail to re |
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(Haggai) Pointed Powerful Paralysing Preaching by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the challenges faced by the people of Judah and Benjamin as they built the temple of the Lord. He emphasizes that when God calls us to do His |
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Ezra #4: Reasons for an Incomplete Temple, Part 2 by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of not giving up and quitting in the face of challenges. He emphasizes that God's answer to difficulties is not through human |
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(Rebuilding the House of the Lord) 2. Rebuildling the House of the Lord by Roy Hession | The video shown in the sermon was a documentary made by a television network in America, showcasing testimonies of people who had been reached by Jesus. The speaker was deeply move |
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Synagogue & Temple by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of our existence as believers. He highlights that many Christians are living in a state of confus |
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Ezra #2: Revival Starts at the Altar by Ed Miller | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the reasons why people quit and fail to complete their spiritual journey. He uses the example of the Israelites building the temple in the boo |
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Hindrances to Spiritual Revival by Joshua Daniel | This sermon by Joshua Daniel emphasizes the importance of the altar in our lives, symbolizing prayer and spiritual foundation. It highlights the need for a broken spirit and humili |
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Progress of Redemption #04 by David Shirley | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of the word of God and how it can change people's lives. The sermon takes place in Judea, a Persian province, around 430 BC. T |
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Revival in the Book of Ezra - Part 2 by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Ezra and the rebuilding of the ruined temple. The speaker begins with a prayer, acknowledging their dependence on God's revelati |
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A True Revival Meeting by John Greer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of unity among believers. He highlights that unity is a priority and a mark of the Holy Spirit's work. The preacher refers to |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Ezra 3
In this chapter, we see the Israelites returning to Jerusalem and rebuilding the altar, which is a symbol of their worship and sacrifice to God. The chapter emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Ezra 3:2, and the role of leadership in guiding God's people, as seen in Ezra 3:8-9. The laying of the foundation of the temple is a significant milestone in their restoration efforts, and the people's praise and thanksgiving to God, as seen in Ezra 3:11, demonstrate their recognition of God's goodness and loving devotion towards them. As Matthew Henry notes, the chapter teaches us about the importance of prioritizing worship and obedience to God, and trusting in His goodness and loving devotion towards us, even in the face of challenges and opposition. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Importance of Worship
The chapter emphasizes the importance of worship and sacrifice to God, as seen in the rebuilding of the altar and the celebration of the completion of the temple's foundation.
The Role of Leadership
The chapter highlights the role of leaders, such as Jeshua and Zerubbabel, in guiding the Israelites in their restoration efforts.
The Mix of Emotions
The chapter notes the mixed emotions of the people, ranging from joy and celebration to sadness and mourning, as they reflect on the past and look towards the future.