Ezra 3:1-13

Verse 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.

I.    The seventh month.

A.  Shows that not much time had gone by from the declaring by Cyrus that the Jews could leave until those same Jews were living in their respective cities.

1.   A look at a Bible map shows that it was approximately 700 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem, following the general course of the Euphrates River.

2.   If they averaged 1 miles per hour and traveled 8 hours per day 6 days a week, they would travel 8 miles a day, and 48 miles a week.

3.   It would take them approximately 14« weeks to travel the 700 miles (3 months, 1« weeks).

4.   According to Ezra 7:9, it took Ezra 4 months to travel from Babylon to Jerusalem.

5.   We can understand from the above calculations that the Jews moved very quickly for they had to have time to prepare to leave Babylon, make the trip, find their respective cities, find a place to live and settle down a little before returning to Jerusalem in preparation for building the temple.

B.   The Jews had already agreed to gather together at Jerusalem to begin work on the temple.

1.   These preparations could have been made before they left Babylon, or on the way to Jerusalem.

2.   I really believe they made these plans while they were still as a group (before their arrival in Israel) because it would be very difficult to get the message to everybody on time.

3.   There is no mention that there was a messenger sent to anybody.

C.   Why had they agreed on the seventh month?

1.   They had learned in captivity what they would not learn in freedom in their own land.

2.   The older generation and the younger generation had not only taken their scriptures into captivity with them, they had each opened their "Bibles" and began to study.

3.   They learned about the special yearly worship services God had set up for them.

4.   They learned why they were in captivity - for failing to observe those worship days.

5.   When Israel returns to their land, they will begin observing those worship days immediately.

6.   Lev. 23:23 tells of the Feast of Trumpets - A Time of Rejoicing.

II.   There was total agreement among the people.

A.  They were meeting together to build the temple and begin public worship of God once again.  This hasn't been done for many years.

B.   It is remarkable that just before Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem there was a good deal of rebellion against God and His Word.

1.   Jeremiah 44:1-19 - After Jerusalem was conquered the remaining Jews came to Jeremiah, asking him what God would have them do.

2.   Jeremiah told them in verse 1-14 and in verse 15-19, the people told Jeremiah they weren't going to do what God said, but they would continue obeying their wives, and would do what they said.

C.   Now there is no body who says they ought not to serve God, but all are very enthusiastic about worshipping God.

Verse 2, 3, 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.

I.    The leaders of Israel build the altar of burnt offering.

A.  Somebody has to be the leader.

1.   If the right people don't lead, then somebody (who is wrong) will.

2.   When things are right, then the right people will arise to do God's will.

3.   The very first thing they did was build the altar of God for the purpose of offering sacrifices to God.

B.   The reason they did this first was because of fear.

1.   Somebody might say that it is not good to worship because of fear, but it is better than not worshipping because they didn't fear.

2.   The history of Israel is that they didn't fear God, or His commandments, and they forced God to put them into captivity.

3.   If they will serve God because of fear, they will soon learn that God will take care of them, then they will be able to worship God because of love for Him.

II.   They build the altar because it was written that they should build it.

A.  This is a very important verse because it shows us that Israel had done a good deal of studying either when they were in captivity, or on the journey to Israel, or shortly before coming to Jerusalem.

1.   It is always good to study God's Word and follow it.

2.   Hosea 4:6, God said He would forget our children if we forgot His Word.

3.   This is what He did, but He also said that if sinners would turn from their wicked ways, and turn to Him, that He would forgive their sinfulness, heal their land, and bless them.

4.   This is what He is doing for Israel in these verses.

Verse 4-6, 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.

I.    The feast of Tabernacles.

A.  According to Leviticus 23:33-44 the Feast of Tabernacles was to be kept on the 15th day of the seventh month.

1.   Also according to Lev 23:26-32 the Jews were to observe the Day of Atonement, Salvation is Complete -- Resurrection

2.   Why didn't they observe that day?

B.   They didn't have anything ready to observe that day.

1.   They didn't have a High Priest who was established in that position.

2.   They didn't have a Holy of Holies (or a temple yet) in which to place the ark of the covenant.

3.   They didn't have time to cleanse the priests and prepare them for their office.

C.   They were probably very willing to observe the Day of Atonement, but since they couldn't observe that day, they would do all they could.

1.   This is a very good lesson for us.

2.   There are some things we can do and there are some things we can't do.

3.   We should always do what we can.

4.   God understands our position.          

II.   The daily offerings.

A.  Note that verse 4 states these were kept according:

1.   As it was written.

a.   A study of God's Word had revealed how to worship with burnt offerings.

b.   It is certainly sad that Israel had to spend 70 years in captivity in order to learn how to worship God.

c.   It is equally sad that we have to spend so much time in sorrow before we learn how to worship God.

2.   As was the custom.

B.   They also observed other days of worship.

1.   Verse 5 - The feast of new moons.

2.   All the set feasts ordained by God through Moses.

C.   They also observed the freewill offerings to the Lord.

1.   This last offering shows the willingness of the people to worship God.

2.   They were willing, not just to do the minimum, they desired to do all they could.

3.   It is one thing to give tithes to the Lord, but it is another thing to give an offering to the Lord (above the tithe, of course)!

III. The foundation of the temple is not yet laid.

A.  The Jews are not "laying down on the job".

B.   There is not time enough before winter sets in to do very much work on the foundation.

1.   The winter will be spend in collecting material for the foundation, and building.

2.   They will have time to adequately plan for the proper construction of the temple.

3.   It will also allow time for working on their own homes.

C.   The next verse (verse 7) gives the detail of how the Jews plan to work during the winter months.

1.   As soon as spring comes, they will begin work on the foundation and temple.

2.   It is always good to do things in proper order.

Verse 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.

I.    The seventh month was in late fall.

A.  Winter was coming on, and it would be impossible to build because of the bad weather.

B.   Since they couldn't be building, they will do what they can.

1.   One thing they can do is to gather material so the building can commence when the weather permits.

2.   It is always good to do all we can, and not worry about what we can't do.

II.   Note the "delegation of authority".

A.  This is one of my very favorite means of working.

1.   This doesn't mean I am lazy, it means I depend very heavily on my church to do what they can.

2.   Sometimes I get in trouble because I get wrong advice from my church members, but that doesn't happen very often.

3.   Most often, church members are in the habit of letting the pastor (and other appointed or self-appointed persons) do everything, and them doing nothing, but coming to church, sitting and staring (sometimes they listen, but listening seems to be optional with some church members).

4.   It is not very practical for one person to do everything.

B.   One thing that needs to be mentioned is that when authority is delegated, the responsibility to get that job done is also delegated.

1.   One very important rule of delegation is that responsibility and authority go hand in hand.

a.   When authority is delegated, responsibility is delegated.

b.   When responsibility is delegated, authority is delegated.

2.   One person often times must be in control of everything, but not doing everything.

III. The delegated jobs.

A.  They gave money to the carpenters and masons so they could purchase the needed materials.

1.   They weren't able to go to the local lumber yard and buy the material.

2.   They would have to cut down the trees, then saw the trees into lumber, then transport the lumber to Jerusalem.

3.   The masons would have to collect the necessary materials for making bricks, then make the bricks, baking them sufficiently, then transport them to Jerusalem.

B.   They gave food to the people of Tyre.

1.   According to history, they didn't have enough food in that area, so they took food instead of money.

2.   All of this was done according to the decree made by King Cyrus.

The Second Year "Back Home"

Verse 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.

I.    This was the very first opportunity the returning Israelites had to begin the work.

A.  It was the beginning of winter when they first arrived back in Jerusalem.

B.   Now it is the beginning of spring.

1.   They don't forget what they have returned to do.

2.   They have continued to plan through the winter.

3.   The carpenters and masons have gathered material to begin their part of the work.

C.   It is said they have returned to the house of God at Jerusalem.

1.   It must be noted that there really isn't a house of God at Jerusalem.

2.   It was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar some 52 years ago.

3.   They have come to the place where the house of God will be build.

4.   When these people look on this pile of rubble, they see in their "hearts eye" the finished temple and the worship that will occur there.

D.  The second month is the month Zif, which corresponds to the month of May.

1.   It is the time of planting.

2.   The people will plant for they need the food to survive.

3.   They believe it is more important to take care of God's business first, then God will add to them exactly what they need.

II.   The people are still involved in the work.

A.  Zerubbabel is still the leader.

B.   The way this verse is written reveals that Israel has a congregational form of government with a recognized leader and group of leaders.

1.   Israel doesn't vote on what they want to do, instead they find out what God wants them to do.

2.   They discover God's will by reading His Word.

3.   I Peter 5 tells pastors that they are to work with their respective churches, not try to "lord it over them".

4.   A leader cannot do without his people, and the people cannot do without their leader.

III. The age of the Levites.

A.  In this place, they begin their work at the age of 20.

B.   I Chronicles 23:24, David has the Levites begin their work at age 20.

C.   Numbers 4:1-3 explains that Moses had the Levites serving from the age of 30-50.

D.  Why was this changed?  See I Chronicles 23:24.

1.   I Chron 23:25 - God has given Israel rest from their enemies and has allowed them to dwell in Jerusalem forever.

2.   I Chron 23:26 - The tabernacle no longer needs to be carried about from place to place, therefore these younger men are needed for they will now have additional duties.

3.   I Chron 23:28-32 - These verses give a detailed list of their duties.

4.   They are to wait on the sons of Aaron in all the work of the tabernacle, both inside work and outside work, both in morning and evening praise, keeping the charge of all the operation of the tabernacle.

Verse 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.

I.    It is very clear that Israel has leaders placed over them.

A.  It is not wrong to have leaders who don't participate in the actual physical work of the temple.

B.   These leaders can do much to encourage the work.

1.   They will not only keep the work flowing in a good fashion.

2.   Their words will also encourage the workers.

II.   I don't believe for an instant that the workers resented their leaders.

A.  They understand they must have leadership for the work to progress smoothly.

B.   They willingly follow their instructions for their desire is to please God.

Verse 10,11, 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.

I.    Here is a combination of working and worship.

A.  This is as it should be.

B.   There should be a combination of men's labors and Godly worship.

1.   This is the proper balance.

2.   Some try to worship God by presenting Him their work, but this is error.

3.   Some try to worship God without working for Him, but this is error.

4.   We should worship God in our spirits and in our bodies.

5.   Any work we do, we do by the grace of God, not the strength of our flesh.

II.   Here we notice a major work of the leaders.

A.  It is their part to establish both the physical building of the foundation, and the establishing of the worship of God.

1.   It is more important to worship God than build the foundation.

2.   But building the foundation can be worshipping God.

3.   This is the task given to the leaders.

4.   Today, it is the task of pastors to lead the people to worship God in whatever kind of work they do.

5.   I Cor. 10:31 - Whatever you do, give glory to God.

B.   The priests are dressed in their official garments.

1.   This shows that the building of the foundation is as much a part of worship as anything else.

2.   Today, a person can work of the church building, and this work can be as much a part of worship as anything else.

C.   They are following the system established by David.

1.   David established some new things when the tabernacle was placed permanently in Jerusalem.

2.   These people are following David's example because they are also establishing a permanent worship of God at Jerusalem.

III. Singing by course.

A.  They took turns singing.

1.   Some would sing, then others would sing, giving a response to the first singers.

2.   Then the first singers would sing a response to the second singers, and so on.

B.   It is very likely that this singing was not composed on the spot.

1.   The likelihood of all the people thinking of the same words and the same music all at the same time is quite large.

2.   It is more likely they sang songs composed at leisure and practiced over and over until they knew the words and music by heart.

a.   They had to know the words and music by heart because they didn't have time to look at the music.

b.   They worked and sang at the same time.

c.   This might remind some of the old Negro spirituals.

d.   It would be very good if we would work and sing (worship God) at the same time.

3.   This shows us how much the people really gave themselves over to God in their own personal lives and homes.

4.   It is very easy to see them sitting around the fire in the winter time singing these songs over and over again, worshipping God in their homes with their families.

C.   The purpose of all this.

1.   The people are so happy, they can't contain themselves.

2.   They intend to give God all the glory they possibly can.

D.  The combination of trumpets and cymbals doesn't sound like very good music.

1.   The people are not interested in whether it sounds good to men.

2.   They are very concerned about how it sounds to God.

3.   We ought to be interested in how our worship appears to God, not how it appears to men.

E.   They have a purpose in praising God.

1.   They are seeing the foundation being laid.

2.   Much "praise" today is without any basis.

3.   Some people seem to think they ought to praise and work themselves up into some kind of emotional state so they can worship.

4.   This kind of thing is of the devil.

Verse 12-13, 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.

I.    It is very possible that these "ancient men" were not as old as we might at first think.

A.  Daniel was taken captive during the 3rd year of Jehoiakim (the first captivity).

1.   If Daniel were a teenager when he was taken to Babylon, he would at least be in his middle 80's when Cyrus gave the command for the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

2.   He was probably too old to make the trip.

3.   If he was physically able to make the trip, but didn't, it may have been that his position in the government was too important for him to leave.

B.   The temple wasn't destroyed until the 11th year (the final year) of Zedekiah (Mattaniah).

1.   This was 18 years after the first group of people were taken captive during the 3rd or 4th year of Jehoiakim (606 B. C.) that Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the temple (586 B. C.).

a.   There is some discrepancies in the B. C. dates because there is no mention made of the number of months.

2.   Subtracting 18 years from 70 years reveals that the temple had been destroyed for some 52 years.

3.   If a person was taken captive in his teenage years, (the third captivity - 586 B. C.) he would have remembered the original temple structure.

4.   Adding 52 years to the age of a teenager (15 years old seems to be an "average" figure) shows us that these ancient men could have been as young as 67 years.

II.   We ought to notice the different ways of worship.

A.  Some worshipped by shouting for joy.

B.   Some of the older people worshipped but they realized this temple wasn't as large or nice as the first.

1.   They wept and shouted.

2.   There is no doubt in my mind they worshipped God.

3.   There is also no doubt in my mind they were filled with sorrow because they were reminded of their terrible sin against God that has brought them to this place and time.

C.   The different forms the worship took didn't hinder the worship of anybody.

1.   This is as it should be.

2.   People worship according to their varying experiences.

3.   There was no way to tell who was worshipping which way, but all were worshipping.

III. The noise was heard afar off.

A.  There is nothing wrong with others (even lost people) hearing the worship of God.

1.   It might lead them to examine more closely what is going on.

2.   They might find they are also interesting in worshipping God.

B.   This was evidently a very large noise for chapter 4 tells of Israel's enemies coming to join them.

1.   The devil will always show up when God's people get right.

2.   The only way to defeat Satan is by drawing closer and closer to God.