Topical Bible: The Daily Sacrifice: Restored After the Captivity

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Topical Encyclopedia

The restoration of the daily sacrifice after the Babylonian captivity marks a significant moment in the history of Israel, symbolizing the renewal of worship and covenant relationship with God. This event is primarily documented in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, which detail the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem and the subsequent rebuilding of the temple and reestablishment of religious practices.

Historical Context

Following the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC, the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon. This period of captivity lasted approximately 70 years, as prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12). The decree of Cyrus the Great in 538 BC allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple (Ezra 1:1-4). This return was led by Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, and Jeshua the high priest.

Reestablishment of the Altar and Sacrifices

Upon their return, the first priority for the Jewish exiles was to reestablish the altar of God to resume the daily sacrifices, which were central to their worship and covenant relationship with Yahweh. Ezra 3:2-3 records, "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 offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. They set up the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings upon it to the LORD—both the morning and evening burnt offerings."

The reestablishment of the altar and the daily sacrifices was a profound act of faith and obedience, occurring even before the foundation of the temple was laid. This act demonstrated the community's commitment to restoring their relationship with God and adhering to the Mosaic Law, which prescribed daily offerings (Exodus 29:38-42).

Significance of the Daily Sacrifice

The daily sacrifice, consisting of a lamb offered every morning and evening, was a continual reminder of Israel's dependence on God and His provision for atonement and fellowship. It was an integral part of the sacrificial system that pointed to the need for holiness and the covering of sin. The restoration of this practice signified a return to the spiritual disciplines that defined Israel as God's chosen people.

Challenges and Perseverance

The process of restoring the daily sacrifice was not without challenges. The returning exiles faced opposition from surrounding peoples, as well as internal discouragement due to the daunting task of rebuilding the temple amidst the ruins of Jerusalem. Despite these obstacles, the leaders and people persevered, motivated by their desire to honor God and restore His worship in their midst.

Ezra 3:6 notes, "On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not yet been laid." This early resumption of sacrifices underscores the priority placed on worship and obedience to God's commands, even in the face of incomplete restoration.

Theological Implications

The restoration of the daily sacrifice after the captivity is a testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His people and His promises. It highlights the importance of worship and the centrality of sacrificial atonement in the life of Israel. This event also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who would fulfill and surpass the sacrificial system through His atoning death and resurrection.

In summary, the restoration of the daily sacrifice after the captivity was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking a renewed commitment to God and His covenant. It served as a foundation for the spiritual and communal life of the Jewish people as they rebuilt their identity and relationship with Yahweh in their ancestral land.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 3:3
And they set the altar on his bases; for fear was on them because of the people of those countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon to the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... sacrifices, and what were called the daily sacrifices, and ... had carried to Babylon,
should be restored to the ... country; and they offered the sacrifice which was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

Psalm LXV.
... had been completed, the temple was restored which had ... Do not daily men not believing
die in their ... may be obtained, propitiation is made through some sacrifice. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxv.htm

Book 3 Footnotes
... that the quantity of manna that fell daily, and did ... And indeed it may seem to have
been restored for some time ... 7:15, [that the eating of the sacrifice the same ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 3 footnotes.htm

Patrick, the Apostle of the Irish.
... I shall go further, and sacrifice much more ... That sun which we see, rises daily for
us, by God's ... could find, who had been sold into slavery, and restored them to ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/patrick the apostle of the.htm

Altar and Temple
... as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings ... The whole ritual was restored,
as the narrative tells ... meets men at the place of sacrifice, even though ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

Faustus Fails to Understand Why He Should be Required Either to ...
... prefiguring the death, we commemorate it daily, and especially ... The apostles say that
a sacrifice was offered for ... part taken captive cannot be restored to its ...
/.../faustus fails to understand why.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... and her daughters, and they shall be restored as they ... If any man should rob thee
of thy daily food, thou ... 9:27, where the destroyer makes sacrifice and oblation ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

Here Followeth the History of Tobit
... house, and all his faculties and goods were restored to him ... Anna his wife went daily
to the work of weaving ... to full, and to offer to thee sacrifice of praising ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the history of 2.htm

Perpetuity
... without a king, without princes, without sacrifice, without an ... now form a large part
of daily conversation ... Deluge, as Esdras could have restored the Scriptures ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ix perpetuity.htm

Life and Writings of Sulpitius Severus.
... in which the precepts bearing upon sacrifice are set? ... The hatred of the king towards
him increased daily? ... under whom the temple was restored, obtained the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /