Ezra 3:1-3 And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities… The return from Babylon is supposed to have been in the spring. The first employment of the people would be to construct for themselves huts, or so to repair dilapidated buildings as to make them fit for habitation. This accomplished, no time was lost in setting about the great work of re-establishing their ancient worship. So "when the seventh month was come," the month Tisri, corresponding to portions of our September and October, they repaired to Jerusalem to encourage and witness, - I. THE REBUILDING OF THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERINGS. 1. They saw it placed upon its old bases. (1) They regarded it as the same altar. No ceremonies of consecration needed - wanted no novelties in religion. Here is a useful lesson to Christians. The religion of their fathers was Divine, and was associated with a wonderful history. (2) Antiquity should be tested by appeal to Scripture. 2. They saw it rise to its completion. (1) They had hostile neighbours (see Ezra 4:1, 9, 10). Idolaters of all sorts will ever oppose true worship. (2) These were overawed by the multitude. The wicked are cowards at heart. (3) The hands of the elders were encouraged. This is the force of the particle, "Then stood up," etc. Learn the great value of witnessing for Christ. II. THE OFFERING OF THE DAILY SACRIFICES. These are described Numbers 28:1-8. 1. The offerings. These were - (1) The burnt offering - a lamb of the first year, type of Christ, consumed in fire, and so called the "food of God." (2) The meat offering - fine flower mingled with oil, consumed by the worshipper or his representatives. (3) The drink offering - wine - like the meat, partaken of by God and man (see Judges 9:13). This feasting the symbol of friendship. 2. These were continual. (1) Morning, evening, day by 'day the year round, so forward "year by year continually" (see Hebrews 10:1). (2) Kept up a continual remembrance of sin. (3) Continually procured the "forbearance of God" until his justice should be satisfied in the perfect sacrifice and offering of Calvary. 3. But there was no sacred fire. (1) The Jews confess the absence of this after the captivity. No account of any in the more recent Scriptures. (2) Strange fire would scarcely be used. No account of its authorisation. Without this would it be accepted (see Leviticus 10:1, 2)? (3) Burnt offerings without fire! Significant of the waning of the dispensation. Designed to wean the Jews from Moses in favour of Jesus. Strength of prejudice! Strong tendencies even in Christians to ritual rather than to the spiritual in worship (see Galatians 3:1-3). We witness here - III. A UNITED NATION OF WORSHIPPERS, 1. There was concert among the priests. (1) The high priest was there. Joshua is not here expressly so styled; implied in the words, "Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren." Thus distinguished elsewhere (see Haggai 1:1; Haggai 2:2; Zechariah 3:1). He was the grandson of Seraiah, the high priest who was slain by Nebuchadnezzar (see 2 Kings 25:18-21). He was a type of Christ not only in virtue of his office, but also in his name, which is the same as Jesus, and in his leading the captivity out of Babylon. (2) The "brethren" of Jeshua were with him. The sons of Aaron in general. 2. There was concert among the nobles. (1) Zerubbabel was there. He heads the roll of names (Ezra 2:2) as a principal leader of the restoration. He was the representative of the royal family, and now a worthy successor of his ancestors, David and Solomon, who were so gloriously concerned with the first temple. (2) His "brethren" were with him. 3. The people were there "as one man. (1) Responsive to the summons of the chiefs. They assembled fifteen days earlier than the feast of tabernacles, when all the males should appear (see ver. 6). (2) They came with exemplary unanimity; their heart was in it; they were the noblest of the nation, under 50,000, leaving the indifferent ones in Babylon. Such unanimity could never have been secured by coercion. Value of the voluntary principle. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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