Ezra 3
In the seventh month, shortly after the exiles arrived back in the land, they gather in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Tabernacles. Mosaic Law commanded all men to come to Jerusalem for this feast (Exodus 23:14-17; Deut 16:16), many of whom would have brought their entire families. After so many years of exile, there is an eagerness to take part in this important festival and “the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem” (3:1).
At this time, Jeshua (an alternate spelling of Joshua) “with his fellow priests”, along with Zerubbabel “with his kinsmen” (3:2) rise up 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” (3:2). The language and grammar of verse 2 echoes that of Ezra 1:5. In both verses the emphasis is on those who “arise” (קוּם). In Ezra 1:5 those who rise up are said to be “stirred” in their spirits by God. While 3:2 doesn’t explicitly reference God’s stirring in the spirits of Jeshua and Zerubbabel, the parallel with 1:5 points in that same direction. God is on the move to move His people to carry out His will.
The motivation for the construction of the altar, prior to beginning the rebuilding of the Temple proper is two-fold. First, the people are seeking to follow what was written in “the Law of Moses” (3:2). Second, we are told that “fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands” (3:3). The exiles feel anxiety in light of their vulnerable position. They are a relatively small band of people surrounded by hostile neighbours. Realizing their need for divine protection and provision, they build the altar to offer “burnt offerings on it to the Lord” (3:3). The priests, following the regulations laid out in the Law, begin the daily burnt offerings “according to the rule” (3:4), along with the appointed monthly offerings and occasional freewill offerings (3:5).
Constructing that altar is just the start of their rebuilding aspirations. They recognize “the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid” (3:6). So they contract masons and carpenters to do the rebuild (3:7). They also send “food, drink and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon” (3:7), following the pattern of Solomon who did the same for the first Temple (2 Chron 2:16). Thankfully, they have the funds and supplies to pay for the rebuilding project due to “the grant that they had from Cyrus king of Persia” (3:7).
Seven months after the construction of the altar, in the second month of their second year back in the land, the exiles make “a beginning” to rebuild the Temple building (3:8). By now the needed building supplies had arrived from Tyre and Sidon. The rebuilding project is led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua with the support of the “priests and Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity” (3:8). (Note: Zerubbabel now takes the lead—his name, instead of Jeshua’s name, is listed first; compare 3:2 with 3:8). They assign the Levites, age twenty and above, to provide oversight for the work (3:8-9).
We’re not told how long the foundation took the masons and carpenters to finish. Ezra’s focuses on the response of the exiles to the completion of the foundation (3:10-13). The priests, decked out in their official vestments, accompanied by trumpets, singers (“the sons of Asaph”), cymbals, lead the gathered exiles in antiphonal praise. They give thanks to the Lord, singing “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel” (3:11).
Those gathered to praise the Lord for the completed foundation respond in different ways. Some shout joyfully, rejoicing that the work on the Temple had commenced (3:11). However, some who were old enough to have seen the first Temple in its glory, wept openly (3:12). Evidently, these older priests and Levites could tell this version of the Temple would lack the splendor and majesty of Solomon’s Temple. Ironically, the blending of joy and sorrow was such that “the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping” (3:13).
Knowing God: understanding His person and ways
God has revealed how He is to be worshipped. Several times in this chapter we are told the exiles established worship rhythms “as it is written” or “according to the rule” (3:4). They also offered daily sacrifices “as each day required” (3:4). They didn’t freewheel or improvise when it came to worship but followed the instructions revealed by God Himself in God’s Word. God has ways in which He wants His people to approach him. While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled by Christ and New Covenant realities (see the book of Hebrews), God still determines how His people are to draw near to Him in worship. For Christians today, God has revealed we are to worship Him through singing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs (Col 3:16), the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:17-34), prayer (1 Tim 2:1-8), the public reading and preaching of the Scriptures (1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 4:1-5), and “doing good” (Hebrews 13:16).
God is to be worshipped for His goodness and steadfast love. The antiphonal response of the people in worship was “For He is good, and his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel” (3:11). This refrain should characterize the worship of all God’s people as we go through life. We can praise Him because He is innately good and eternally loving towards His people.
God raises up the right leaders to accomplish His will. The rebuilding of the Temple and reinstituting of the sacrificial system required spiritual leadership and project management skills. God raised up a priest (Jeshua) to lead the sacrificial system and a civic leader (Zerubbabel) to oversee the construction project. Jeshua and Zerubbabel’s leadership contributions were both essential, though different. God still raises up leaders with different giftings to complement one another and complete His ministry assignments.
God allows His servants to express a range of emotions. Ezra records the mixture of elation and dismay expressed by the priests, Levites, and people at the dedication of the foundation. The wording of the text does not indict those who were grieved instead of glad. Following the Lord’s example, we must give place for God’s servants to have different perspectives and emotional responses to the same set of ministry circumstances. We should not penalize or pathologize divergent reactions. Nor should those who weep seek to stop the work or stifle the joy of those who rejoice.
Joining God: moving with God on mission
The best response to the fear of man is the worship of God. Ezra records that a significant motivator for setting up the altar and re-starting the sacrificial system was the fear of the surrounding peoples (3:3). As they worship God, they not only appeal for His intervention and protection, they also reorient their perspective. They see Him as greater than the peoples they fear, even to the point that they dedicate the beginning of the Temple with loud shouts that could be “heard far away” (3:13). Worship gets us God-focused, replacing fear with faith.
Different leaders lead different parts of God’s work. Jeshua (Joshua) seems to take the lead when it comes to setting up the altar (3:2); Zerubbabel leads when it’s time to begin the construction of the Temple (3:8). In this team of leaders, each had a primary role. Jeshua, as high priest, led the worship aspects; Zerubbabel, as a civic leader (governor), led the construction project. So today, God uses different leaders to move forward different aspects of His work. Our goal should be to play our role well and support others in their efforts.
God’s servants can have very different assessments when it comes to God’s work. For many, the completed foundation gave reason for loud, joyful shouts. For others, the same situation, prompted weeping and wailing. Some were delighted; others dismayed. Some were grateful to see some progress going forward; others were grieved that the project seemed pitiful compared to the previous Temple. They could not anticipate how the glory of this Temple would eclipse the glory of Solomon’s (Haggai 2:1-9); this second Temple would be visited by the Son of God. We can expect similar reactions to God’s work today. Different perspectives lead to different responses.
Rick and Linda Reed 