1 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 countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;
5 And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD.
6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites.
10 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.
11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.
12 But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
13 So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
The third chapter of the Book of Ezra in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a continuation of the story of the Israelites returning to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. This chapter focuses on the rebuilding of the altar and the foundation of the temple, as well as the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The main themes of this chapter include obedience to God, faithfulness, and restoration. Through the actions of the Israelites, we can see the importance of following God's commands and the blessings that come with obedience.
The chapter begins with the leaders of the Israelites gathering together in Jerusalem. They build the altar of the God of Israel and offer burnt offerings on it, as commanded by the Law of Moses. This act of rebuilding the altar symbolizes the renewal of their relationship with God. The altar was a central part of the Israelites' worship, and without it, they were unable to offer sacrifices and seek forgiveness for their sins. By rebuilding the altar, the Israelites were acknowledging their need for forgiveness and their desire to follow God's laws once again.
The altar was also a place of atonement, where the people could come before God and seek reconciliation. This was a crucial step in the restoration of the Israelites' relationship with God, as they had been separated from Him during their exile in Babylon. The act of rebuilding the altar was a physical representation of their repentance and their willingness to turn back to God.
After the altar was rebuilt, the Israelites began to lay the foundation of the temple. This was a significant event, as the temple was a symbol of God's presence among His people. It was also a physical representation of their faith and commitment to God. The temple was a place of worship, sacrifice, and prayer, and its reconstruction was a sign of the Israelites' dedication to rebuilding their relationship with God.
The foundation of the temple was laid with great care and ceremony. The Levites, who were responsible for the service of the temple, dressed in their priestly garments and blew trumpets while the people sang and praised God. This was a joyous occasion, as the people were filled with hope and anticipation for the completion of the temple. It was a reminder of God's faithfulness and His promise to restore His people.
As the foundation of the temple was being laid, the Israelites also celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. This was a seven-day festival that commemorated God's provision and protection during their time in the wilderness. The people lived in temporary shelters made of branches during this feast, which reminded them of their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. This feast was also a time of rejoicing and thanksgiving for the harvest and God's blessings.
The celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles was a significant event, as it symbolized the Israelites' restoration to their land and their relationship with God. It was a reminder of God's faithfulness and His promise to be with His people always. The Feast of Tabernacles also foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ, who would dwell among His people and bring salvation.
The third chapter of the Book of Ezra holds great significance in the story of the Israelites' return to Jerusalem. It highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands and the blessings that come with it. The rebuilding of the altar and the foundation of the temple symbolize the renewal of the Israelites' relationship with God and their commitment to following His laws. The celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles is a reminder of God's faithfulness and His promise to restore His people. Overall, this chapter emphasizes the theme of restoration, both physically and spiritually, and the importance of remaining faithful to God.
Furthermore, this chapter also foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ. The rebuilding of the altar and the foundation of the temple point to the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus would make on the cross, which would reconcile humanity to God. The Feast of Tabernacles also foreshadows Jesus' birth, as He would dwell among His people and bring salvation to the world.
In conclusion, chapter 3 of the Book of Ezra is a vital part of the Israelites' journey back to Jerusalem. It highlights the themes of obedience, faithfulness, and restoration, and foreshadows the coming of Jesus Christ. Through the actions of the Israelites, we can see the importance of following God's commands and the blessings that come with obedience. This chapter serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His promise to restore His people, and it holds great significance in the overall message of the Bible.
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