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. Sermons
I. THAT IT WAS SUCH AS COULD BE CONDUCTED IN THE OPEN AIR. 1. They had their altar rebuilt. (1) This was the first thing done, because it was essential. Sacrifice is interwoven with all the ceremonies of worship according to the law. The principle of sacrifice is no less essential under the gospel. Ponder the thought that there can be no true worship without sacrifice. (2) They lost no time in this. They came forth from Babylon in the spring. The journey probably occupied four months (comp. Ezra 7:9). They had therefore barely time to get housed before the seventh month came, upon the first day of which they were "as one man" at Jerusalem. Learn that things essential to worship should have prompt and early attention. Forsaking Babylon - seeking Zion. 2. But the foundation of the temple was not yet laid. This recalls the worship of the patriarchs. (1) That of the first family eastward of Eden (Genesis 3:24, and Genesis 4:3, etc.). (2) That of Noah emerging from the ark (Genesis 8:20). (3) That of the Hebrew patriarchs in Canaan (Genesis 12:6-8; Genesis 13:18; Genesis 15:9-11; Genesis 22:13; Genesis 26:25; Genesis 33:18-20). Learn, worship may be genuine without being elaborate (see John 4:23, 24). 3. There appears to have been no celebration of the ceremonies of the great day of atonement. (1) The daily sacrifice commenced on the first day of Tisri (ver. 6). The great day of atonement was due on the tenth of the same month, of which there is no mention. The narrative carries us at once to the feast of tabernacles, which followed on the fifteenth day. (2) The reason of the omission is found in the want of the temple. The sprinkling of the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry would be impossible (see Leviticus 16.). There was no most holy place for the high priest to enter (see Hebrews 9:7, 25). There was no altar of incense (see Exodus 30:10). Lesson: If we cannot worship God as we would, we should worship him as we can. II. THAT IT COMPREHENDED ALL THE FESTIVALS OF THEIR RELIGION. 2. Foremost amongst these was the feast of tabernacles. This was one of the great annual festivals (Exodus 23:1-6). (1) The passover. This was held on the first day of Abib - instituted to commemorate the events connected with the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 13:3, 4; Deuteronomy 16:1-8). (2) The feast of first-fruits. This commenced with the putting in of the sickle for the harvest. Also called the feast of weeks, for it lasted seven weeks, while the fruits of the earth were being gathered. Lesson: We should recognise God in all our blessings. In all this rejoicing the Israelites still kept up the memory of their emancipation from Egypt (see Deuteronomy 16:7-12). (3) The last was the feast of tabernacles. In the present case this came first. This arose from the accident of its occurring first after the return from Babylon. Yet in this accident there was a providence, for the feast of tabernacles has a peculiar relation to gospel times (see Zechariah 14:18). This feast also called the feast of ingathering, for it was a rejoicing over the garnering of the harvest and vintage (Deuteronomy 16:13-16). Not so called here, for there would be no extensive ingathering in this first year. There was a remembrance of the deliverance from Egypt in this festival also; it called to mind the dwelling in tents in the wilderness. In this celebration the people could not but associate with this their own recent deliverance from Babylon. Lesson: In all our festivities let the grateful remembrance be present with us of our spiritual emancipation from the Egypt and Babylon of sin and error. (4) Particularly note that they "offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the custom as the duty of every day required." On each of the days during which this feast lasted there was a difference in the custom (see Numbers 29.). "As the duty," etc. Hebrews, "the matter of the day in the day." Learn: (a) Every day brings its own religious duties. (b) We must do the work of the day in the day. 2. They offered also the continual burnt offerings. (1) The daily offerings. These were never interrupted. They continued morning and evening throughout the year. (2) Those of the Sabbaths (see Numbers 28:9, 10). The word Sabbath is applied not only to the seventh day of the week, but indifferently to all the Jewish festivals (Leviticus 19:3, 30). (3) Those of the new moons (see Numbers 27:11-15). (4) Additional to all these were the free-will offerings of the people. Lesson: The services of religion are not to be taken up fitfully, but must be steadily observed. They are not irksome, but delightful to those whose hearts are brought into sympathy with them by the grace of God. This grace should be diligently sought. - J.A.M.
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord. — A weighty truth is enshrined in this apparently incongruous fact. The worship itself is felt to be more important than the house in which it is to be celebrated (John 4:21-24). How vain is it, then, to treat the erection of churches as though it were a revival of religion! As surely as the empty seashell can never secrete a living organism to inherit it, a mere building — whether it be the most gorgeous cathedral or the plainest village meeting-house — will never induce a living spirit of worship to dwell in its cold desolation. Every true revival of religion begins in the spiritual sphere.(Walter F. Adeney, M. A.) They gave money also unto the carpenters I. THE GREAT WORK YET TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. This illustrates —1. The incompleteness of human joys. 2. The incompleteness of human works.The altar was built, but the temple was not begun. The work of the earnest man is never accomplished. Even when death approaches, most men have much which they desire to accomplish. This incompleteness of our human works is also ordered wisely and well. It tends to prevent stagnation; to rouse to earnest activities, etc. 3. The obligation of the Church of God. The Jews at Jerusalem felt themselves bound not to rest content with the joys and blessings of the altar, but to proceed to the more arduous task of rebuilding the temple. II. THE PROMPT PREPARATIONS FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS WORK. Two points claim attention — 1. The variety of service and the unity of design. 2. The co-operation of Jews and Gentiles.Conclusion — 1. Are we "as living stones built up" in the spiritual temple of God? (1 Peter 2:4-6). 2. Are we also assisting to build this glorious temple? (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). (William Jones.) II. THE READINESS OF THE PEOPLE TO GIVE OF THEIR MEANS UNTO THE LORD (Ezra 2:68, 69). Their first care was the house of God. Without homes of their own, their cities in ruins, with a thousand demands pressing upon them, they nevertheless provided first of all for the worship of the temple. How needful the lesson! God's house before our own. God first and afterward self. This work first, and then our own. 1. They offered willingly. It was not the tithe which they were required by law to give. It was a free-will offering to God, and hence all the more acceptable (2 Corinthians 9:7). 2. They gave according to their ability. Proportionate giving as God has prospered us is one of the most pressing needs of the Church to-day. It is a duty as plainly enjoined as prayer and praise (Deuteronomy 16:17; 1 Corinthians 16:2). III. THE PEOPLE WERE READY TO WORK AS WELL, AS GIVE. The Church needs willing workers even more than generous givers. Hearts and hands are always worth more than gold and silver. 1. They worked unitedly. The people laboured "as one" (margin). Their counsels were not divided. There were no jealousies, no personal ambitions to hinder the progress of the undertaking. 2. The work was systematically prosecuted. Zeal and energy were displayed, but without making them substitutes for intelligence and adaptation. One of the great needs of God's people is appreciation of the advantages of systematic work. IV. THANKFUL JOY IN THE LORD'S SERVICE. The ancient men wept with a loud voice as they saw the foundation of the new house laid. Yet, after all, their weeping may have had nothing in it of the spirit of murmuring. Tears are ofttimes expressive of the deepest joy. "There's not a string attuned to mirth But has its chord in melancholy."The joy that is touched with pain is the noblest of joys. The sweetest music is written in the minor key. Possibly the noise of their weeping was more grateful to God than the shouts of their younger companions. (Rufus S. Green, D. D.) Sermons by Monday Club. I. THE BUILDING OF THIS TEMPLE WAS A VISIBLE AND ABIDING TESTIMONY TO MAN'S FIRM FAITH IN THE EXISTENCE AND POWER OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN. "The mystery of holy shrines," says Kinglake, "lies deep in human nature. However the "more spiritual minds may be able to rise and soar, the common man, during his mortal career, is tethered to the globe that is his appointed dwelling-place; and the more his affections are pure and holy, the more they seem to blend with some sacred spot, that belongs to the outward and visible world?' Temples tell us of one who is invisible. As Jacob set up an altar in the place where God talked with him and called the name of the place Bethel, so always men have erected memorial stones to commemorate their faith in God.II. THE TEMPLES AND ALTARS WHICH MAN BUILDS DIGNIFY A DESIRE ON HIS PART FOR NEARER AND MORE CONSTANT COMMUNION WITH GOD. From the first God had revealed Himself as One who was ready to meet with His people, to draw aside the veil, at least in part, and commune with them from off the holy place. Outside the walls of Eden He appeared above the altar of Abel. Whenever, in later times, the patriarchs set up an altar and called on the name of the Lord, they expected that He would come and sanctify the spot by His presence. They were not disappointed. Enoch walked with Him; Noah built an ark under His direction; Abraham saw His day; to Jacob He appeared again and again; He talked with Moses and showed His glory to Isaiah; Elijah's altar was touched with fire; to the whole people He showed a pillar of cloud and flame, and commanded them, saying, "Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them," and when it was finished, the shekinah appeared, God dwelt in the Holy of holies, and from off the fiery seat talked with His prophets and priests. Although under the Christian dispensation the idea of communion with God is ennobled, and the fellowship made more exalted and spiritual, so that Jesus Christ is now our true sanctuary and passover, still the old conception is not altogether abandoned. While the veil of the temple is rent in twain and every common bush is aflame with God, still there is a special blessing for those who meet together in the sanctuary. The place of worship is correctly spoken of as the "meeting house," the meeting-house where man comes to meet his God. III. THE CONDUCT OF THESE TEMPLE BUILDINGS INDICATES DETERMINATION AND SELF-SACRIFICE. (Sermons by Monday Club.) People Asaph, Cyrus, David, Henadad, Hodaviah, Israelites, Jeshua, Jozadak, Kadmiel, Levites, Shealtiel, Sidonians, Tyrians, Zerubbabel, Zidon, ZidoniansPlaces Jerusalem, Joppa, Lebanon, PersiaTopics Ascend, Base, Begun, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offerings, Cause, Foundation, Founded, Laid, Lord's, Month, Offer, Offerings, Seventh, Start, Temple, Though, YetOutline 1. The altar is set up4. Offerings renewed 7. Workmen employed in preparing materials 8. The foundations of the temple are laid in great joy and mourning Dictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 3:1-6Library Altar and Temple'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. 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. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Kingdom Restored Authorship of the Pentateuch. The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth Ezra-Nehemiah Links Ezra 3:6 NIVEzra 3:6 NLT Ezra 3:6 ESV Ezra 3:6 NASB Ezra 3:6 KJV Ezra 3:6 Bible Apps Ezra 3:6 Parallel Ezra 3:6 Biblia Paralela Ezra 3:6 Chinese Bible Ezra 3:6 French Bible Ezra 3:6 German Bible Ezra 3:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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