Ezra 3:6

Ezr 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.

Ver. 6. From the first day of the seventh month] Which was the feast of blowing of trumpets, signifying the just man’s joyfulness, and serving to put life and spirit into them.

Began they to offer] And so held on: for this month had as many feasts in it as were celebrated in all the year besides: so, as the Sabbath was the queen of days ( Regina dierum), so was this of months. {See Trapp on "Ezr 3:1"}

But the foundation of the temple] Heb. of the kingly palace, aula basilica, used here and elsewhere for the place where God’s honour dwelleth. God is a great King, Mal 1:14, and requires to be served like himself.

Was not yet laid] Heb. Was not yet founded. Nevertheless they would be worshipping God as they could at an altar till they had a temple. All the power of Persia could not keep God and Daniel asunder, Dan 6:10; the trade of godliness never standeth still. Demosthenes (Contra Arist.) could say that a heart beautified with piety, justice, and modesty is the best temple, and to God most acceptable.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ezr_3:6-13

From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord.

The full establishment of religious services precedes She building of the temple

A weighty truth is enshrined in this apparently incongruous fact. The worship itself is felt to be more important than the house in which it is to be celebrated (Joh_4:21-24). How vain is it, then, to treat the erection of churches as though it were a revival of religion! As surely as the empty seashell can never secrete a living organism to inherit it, a mere building--whether it be the most gorgeous cathedral or the plainest village meeting-house--will never induce a living spirit of worship to dwell in its cold desolation. Every true revival of religion begins in the spiritual sphere. (Walter F. Adeney, M. A.)

They gave money also unto the carpenters.

The preparations for rebuilding the temple

I. The great work yet to be accomplished. This illustrates--

1. The incompleteness of human joys.

2. The incompleteness of human works.

The altar was built, but the temple was not begun. The work of the earnest man is never accomplished. Even when death approaches, most men have much which they desire to accomplish. This incompleteness of our human works is also ordered wisely and well. It tends to prevent stagnation; to rouse to earnest activities, etc.

3. The obligation of the Church of God. The Jews at Jerusalem felt themselves bound not to rest content with the joys and blessings of the altar, but to proceed to the more arduous task of rebuilding the temple.

II. The prompt preparations for the accomplishment of this work. Two points claim attention--

1. The variety of service and the unity of design.

2. The co-operation of Jews and Gentiles.

Conclusion--

1. Are we as living stones built up in the spiritual temple of God? (1Pe_2:4-6).

2. Are we also assisting to build this glorious temple? (1Co_3:10-15). (William Jones.)

The building of the temple

I. That difficulties ought not to discourage us in the Lords work. Paucity of numbers and feebleness of resources. Enemies.

II. The readiness of the people to give of their means unto the Lord (Ezr_2:68-69). Their first care was the house of God. Without homes of their own, their cities in ruins, with a thousand demands pressing upon them, they nevertheless provided first of all for the worship of the temple. How needful the lesson! Gods house before our own. God first and afterward self. This work first, and then our own.

1. They offered willingly. It was not the tithe which they were required by law to give. It was a free-will offering to God, and hence all the more acceptable (2Co_9:7).

2. They gave according to their ability. Proportionate giving as God has prospered us is one of the most pressing needs of the Church to-day. It is a duty as plainly enjoined as prayer and praise (Deu_16:17; 1Co_16:2).

III. The people were ready to work as well, as give. The Church needs willing workers even more than generous givers. Hearts and hands are always worth more than gold and silver.

1. They worked unitedly. The people laboured as one (margin). Their counsels were not divided. There were no jealousies, no personal ambitions to hinder the progress of the undertaking.

2. The work was systematically prosecuted. Zeal and energy were displayed, but without making them substitutes for intelligence and adaptation. One of the great needs of Gods people is appreciation of the advantages of systematic work.

IV. Thankful joy in the Lords service. The ancient men wept with a loud voice as they saw the foundation of the new house laid. Yet, after all, their weeping may have had nothing in it of the spirit of murmuring. Tears are ofttimes expressive of the deepest joy.

Theres not a string attuned to mirth

But has its chord in melancholy.

The joy that is touched with pain is the noblest of joys. The sweetest music is written in the minor key. Possibly the noise of their weeping was more grateful to God than the shouts of their younger companions. (Rufus S. Green, D. D.)

The second temple

I. The building of this temple was a visible and abiding testimony to mans firm faith in the existence and power of the god of heaven. The mystery of holy shrines, says Kinglake, lies deep in human nature. However the more spiritual minds may be able to rise and soar, the common man, during his mortal career, is tethered to the globe that is his appointed dwelling-place; and the more his affections are pure and holy, the more they seem to blend with some sacred spot, that belongs to the outward and visible world? Temples tell us of one who is invisible. As Jacob set up an altar in the place where God talked with him and called the name of the place Bethel, so always men have erected memorial stones to commemorate their faith in God.

II. The temples and altars which man builds dignify a desire on his part for nearer and more constant communion with God. From the first God had revealed Himself as One who was ready to meet with His people, to draw aside the veil, at least in part, and commune with them from off the holy place. Outside the walls of Eden He appeared above the altar of Abel. Whenever, in later times, the patriarchs set up an altar and called on the name of the Lord, they expected that He would come and sanctify the spot by His presence. They were not disappointed. Enoch walked with Him; Noah built an ark under His direction; Abraham saw His day; to Jacob He appeared again and again; He talked with Moses and showed His glory to Isaiah; Elijahs altar was touched with fire; to the whole people He showed a pillar of cloud and flame, and commanded them, saying, Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them, and when it was finished, the shekinah appeared, God dwelt in the Holy of holies, and from off the fiery seat talked with His prophets and priests. Although under the Christian dispensation the idea of communion with God is ennobled, and the fellowship made more exalted and spiritual, so that Jesus Christ is now our true sanctuary and passover, still the old conception is not altogether abandoned. While the veil of the temple is rent in twain and every common bush is aflame with God, still there is a special blessing for those who meet together in the sanctuary. The place of worship is correctly spoken of as the meeting house, the meeting-house where man comes to meet his God.

III. The conduct of these temple buildings indicates determination and self-sacrifice. (Sermons by Monday Club.)

The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Ezr 3:6. To offer burnt-offerings — And the other sacrifices which were to be offered with them upon that first day of the seventh month, which was the feast of trumpets. Burnt-offerings are often put for all sacrifices, and the meaning of these two verses is, that the holy rites of sacrificing were restored, and continued ever after, in their several seasons, on the new moons, and other festival solemnities.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

(6) From the first day.—The notes of time demand notice. The altar was raised before the month came; from the first until the fifteenth, when the Feast of Tabernacles began, the daily sacrifice was offered. The whole verse recapitulates, and its latter part is the transition to what follows.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6. From the first day of the seventh month &c.] This statement taken in conjunction with Ezr_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.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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, Lev 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, Lev 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 sacrifices.

(z) Etsi, Michaelis.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

To offer burnt-offerings, and the other sacrifices which were to be offered with them upon that day, being the feast of trumpets, Num 29:1, &c. Burnt-offerings are oft put for all sacrifices, as hath been observed once and again.

The foundation of the temple was not yet laid; though it is probable they had done something towards the removing of the rubbish, and preparing the way for it.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Burnt-offerings - And the other sacrifices which were to be offered with them upon that day, being the feast of trumpets. Burnt-offerings are often put for all sacrifices.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

seventh month

i.e. October.

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

the first day of the seventh month

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of September on Western calendars. (See: Hebrew Months and Ordinal Numbers)

the temple had not been founded

The Jews began the ceremonies of worship even before they started building the temple. AT: "they had not yet laid the foundation for the temple" (See: Active or Passive)

as authorized for them by Cyrus, king of Persia

The letters sent by Cyrus gave the Jews permission to buy materials and build the temple.

translationWords

day

temple

Sidon

Tyre

cedar

Lebanon

Joppa

Cyrus

king

Persia

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.