Ezra 3

Ezra 3:1

D. Construction of the Altar and the Temple Foundations (Chap. 3)3:1-7 In the seventh month, which was the beginning of the civil year, the repatriated Jews gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Under the leadership of Jeshua and Zerubbabel, they built an altar and offered burnt offerings, as required by the Law of Moses. They felt that by their honoring Jehovah He would protect them from their enemies. Then they moved ahead with preparations for building the temple, using help from Tyre and Sidon. 3:8-13 The actual construction began fourteen months after the return. As soon as the foundation . . . was laid, the priests and Levites led in a service of dedication. But many of the old men . . . wept when they compared the splendor of Solomon’s temple with the plainness of the one now being built (Hag_2:3). Their cries of sorrow mingled with the shouts of joy and praise so that it was difficult to distinguish them, and the sound was heard afar off.