Ezra 3:6

_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._ From the first day of the seventh month. They revived at that time the daily oblation, and it was on the 15th day of that month the feast of tabernacles was held. But the fact is simply stated; for while, in their zeal to honour that national festival at the time and in the manner prescribed by law, they did not wish the season to pass unobserved, they could not possibly, in their desolate condition, celebrate it with any adequate demonstration of the joy and hilarity by which the feast of tabernacles was usually distinguished....

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....

§ 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

FROM THE FIRST OF THE SEVENTH MONTH BEGAN THEY TO OFFER BURNT OFFERINGS UNTO THE LORD,.... And which day was not only a new moon, but a grand festival, the feast of blowing of trumpets, Leviticus 23:24, and no doubt but they observed the tenth day of this month, with all the rites of it, which was the day of atonement, Leviticus 23:27, BUT THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD WAS NOT YET LAID; they began first with sacrifices, that having thereby given thanks to God for their return to their own land, and for all the benefits they enjoyed, and made atonement for their sins in a typical way, they might be the more prepared and fit for the work of building the temple; or, "though the foundation" of it was not laid z, yet they offered the above sacrif

SEVENTH MONTH That is, October....

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...

_From the first day of the seventh month_&c. This statement taken in conjunction with Ezra 3:5 (-and afterward" &c.) can only mean, that the Jews began to offer burnt offerings on their altar on -the _first_day of the month", when the altar was set up, but that the regular offering of the daily sacrifice was not begun till after the Feast of Tabernacles (15th to 22nd). _But the foundation_&c. R.V. - _but_" &c.: no full-stop. The explanatory clause is added. The burnt offerings were regularly made on the altar, although there was no Temple building, nor Temple worship. Such a thing would have been almost incredible to the Jew of later centuries....

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,

THE REFOUNDING OF THE TEMPLE 1. The seventh month] i.e. Sept.-Oct. of (probably) 537 b.c....