Ezra 3 - Introduction

Chapter Three
PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS

1.

How much time has passed since the events beginning in Ezra 1:1?

2.

How much time is consumed by the events in Ezra three?

3.

According to Ezra 3:1, the people gathered as one man. Do you think this means that everyone came, or that those who came had one will and purpose?

4.

Why do you suppose they started their rebuilding with the altar, instead of some other structure?

5.

How many things that they did in this chapter reflect a knowledge of God's Law given through Moses, or of other sacred institutions?

OUTLINE

Chapter s three to six are titled in our outline for the book, The Temple Is Rebuilt. This is most generally seen as the main topic of the book; this, then, is the heart of its message. Our outline for chapter three:

II.

The Temple is Rebuilt (Ezra 3:1 to Ezra 6:22)

A.

The altar and the foundation laid

1.

The altar and the sacrifices are restored (Ezra 3:1-7).

2.

The foundation of the new Temple is laid (Ezra 3:8-13).

TEXT AND VERSE-BY-VERSE COMMENT

Chapter three begins the topic of the Temple's reconstruction by describing the building of the altar, the making of the first regular sacrifice, and then the construction of the foundation. Nothing could emphasize more sharply the centrality of sacrifice to worship. The altar was the reason for erecting all of the rest of the building: it was the object for which all else existed.

Now, Jesus is our Temple (John 2:19-21). His greatest work on earth was to be our altar (Hebrews 13:10; Hebrews 13:12). We love Him because He offers us forgiveness, and cleansing, and consecration, and fellowship. We see in Him the glory that speaks of His Father's glory.

We, too, are building a temple, as described in 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19 f. and 1 Peter 2:5: we are that temple. It would be well for us to begin in like fashion with the altar of sacrifice. Notice what Hebrews 13:13-16 enumerates as our sacrifices: especially praise and sharing.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1.

How long was it after Israel returned before they began public worship?

2.

Who were the individuals most responsible for the restoration of worship?

3.

What observances or ceremonials did they keep?

4.

What part did music fulfill in their renewal?