Ezra 3:4

_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;_ They kept also the feast of tabernacles ......

1-7 From the proceedings of the Jews on their arrival, let us learn to begin with God, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would. They could not at once have a temple, but they would not be without an altar. Fear of danger should stir us to our duty. Have we many enemies? Then it is good to have God our Friend, and to keep up communion with him. Our fears should drive us to our knees. The sacrifices for all these solemnities were a heavy expense for so poor a company; yet besides those expressly appointed, many brought free-will offerings to the Lord. And they made preparation for the building of the temple without delay: whatever God calls us to do, we may depend upon his providence to furnish us with the needful means....

Verse Ezra 3:4. _THEY KEPT ALSO THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, AS_ IT IS _WRITTEN_] This began on the _fifteenth_ day of the seventh month; but they had begun the regular offerings from the _first day_ of this month, Ezra 3:6. And these were religiously continued all the time they were building the temple....

§ 2. RESTORATION OF THE ALTAR OF BURNT SACRIFICE, AND CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. EXPOSITION RESTORATION OF THE ALTAR (Ezra 3:1). On their arrival in their own land, the exiles, it would seem, proceeded first of all to their several cities, reconnoitring the ground, as it were, and at first taking no step that could arouse the hostility or jealousy of the previous inhabitants. After a while, however, "when the seventh month was come," they ventured with some misgivings to restore and rebuild the great altar of burnt sacrifice, which Solomon had formerly erected in

THEY KEPT ALSO THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES, AS IT IS WRITTEN,.... According to the rules prescribed for the observation of it in Leviticus 23:34 this began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month: AND OFFERED THE DAILY BURNT OFFERINGS BY NUMBER, ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOM, AS THE DUTY OF EVERY DAY REQUIRED; for on all the eight days of the feast there was a certain number of sacrifices fixed for every day; and exactly according to the law concerning them did they offer them at this time; see Numbers 29:12....

CHAPTER 3 _ 1. The altar set up (Ezra 3:1)_ 2. The feast of tabernacles celebrated (Ezra 3:4) 3. The sacrifices brought (Ezra 3:5) 4. The foundation of the temple laid (Ezra 3:8) Ezra 3:1. How long the journey lasted is not stated. The previous chapter in its close states that all dwelt in their cities--”and all Israel in their cities.” The significant seventh month (Tishri) with its holy convocation (feast of trumpets, day of atonement and feast of tabernacles) having come, the remnant gathered “as one man to Jerusalem.” It was the time for such a general

THE OBSERVANCE OF THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES. Ezra 3:4. And they kept. : see Exodus 23:16; Leviticus 23:34; Deuteronomy 16:13, and _cf._ Nehemiah 8:14 This feast (the vintage feast) was observed on the 15th of Tisri and lasted seven days (pp. 102- 104). The Heb. name is _Sukkô th_ (Booths), in reference to the way in which the Israelites dwelt in booths during their journey through the wilderness; this, at least, is the traditional explanation of the dwelling in booths during the whole of the feast. BY NUMBER. : see...

KEPT, &C. As recorded also in the parallel passage (Nehemiah 8:1). AS IT IS WRITTEN. See Leviticus 23:34.Deuteronomy 16:13, and compare 1 Kings 8:2; 1 Kings 8:65....

The Feast of Tabernacles 4. _They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written_ The manner of keeping the feast of tabernacles is described in Leviticus 23:34-42; Deuteronomy 16:13-15. It was the autumn or vintage feast, the most joyous of all the great annual festivals. It commemorated the wanderings in the Desert. It would henceforth commemorate also the return from the Exile. At this festival Solomon dedicated his Temple, 1 Kings 8:65; and with this festival was connected the reading of the Law by Ezra under Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:14-16). -As it is written",

II. The Temple Is Rebuilt (Ezra 3:1 to Ezra 6:22) A. The altar is built, and the foundation laid. 1. The altar and the sacrifice are restored. TEXT, EZRA 3:1-7 1 Now when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. 2 Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brothers arose and built 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 So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD,