Ezra 3 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
Ezra 3 Short Summary:
In Ezra 3, the returned exiles gather in Jerusalem to rebuild the Altar of Burnt Offerings and to reestablish the daily sacrifices at the Temple site. A few months later, they return, and Jeshua and Zerubbabel head up the Temple rebuilding project, beginning with the foundation.
Ezra 3 Summary
WHEN:
After the decree of Cyrus, the people of Judah assembled and travelled from Mesopotamia to Judah (538-537 BC).
The Altar of Burnt Offering was built at the Temple site in the 7th month of the year.
The foundation of the Temple was built in the 2nd month of the 2nd year after the exiles returned to Judah.
KEY CHARACTERS:
Captives of Judah (Jews) – The nation of Judah was taken into captivity by the Babylonians beginning in 607 BC. They lived in the lands of the Kingdom of Babylon until they were released by King Cyrus of Persia. The returning exiles became known as the Jews (4:12).
Zerubbabel – One of the leading men of the returning exiles. He was one of the leaders of the Temple rebuilding project. Many believe he was also known as Sheshbazzar, and that he was appointed by King Cyrus to be governor of Judah (1:8; 5:14).
Jeshua – Leader of the priestly families. He managed the construction of the new Temple, alongside Zerubbabel.
WHERE:
Jerusalem – The capital of the Kingdom of Judah and the location of God’s Temple.
Tyre and Sidon – Tyre was about 105 miles northwest of Jerusalem, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Sidon was approximately 25 miles further up the coast.
OUTLINE:
REBUILDING THE ALTAR AT THE TEMPLE SITE (3:1-6a):
After the return of the exiles to Judah, in the 7th month of the year, all the people gathered in the city of Jerusalem.
Under the leadership of Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel, the Altar of Burnt Offering was rebuilt. This altar originally sat in the courtyard of the Temple (see Exo 38 and 40). It was where the priests offered their daily sacrifices to the Lord, as God had instructed them through Moses. When the altar was
finished, the priests began offering daily sacrifices again (Exo 29:38-39).
They also observed the Feast of Booths, a sacred celebration outlined in Leviticus 23:33-44.
They continued their offerings throughout the year, carefully following God’s instruction.
They were zealous about keeping God’s Law, probably because the neglect of the Law was what got their forefathers sent into exile.
THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE IS LAID (3:6b-13):
The people of Judah didn’t intend to stop with the construction of the altar, they were determined to rebuild the whole Temple, and they had money from King Cyrus to accomplish the job.
They hired masons and carpenters, and traded food and oil with the Tyrians and Sidonians in exchange for cedar trees to lay the foundation.
The Levites, who were 20 years old and up, were assigned to oversee the construction work.
When the foundation was finished all the people gathered.
The priests blew trumpets, and the singers (the sons of Asaph) worshipped in accordance with the directions King David had given to the people 500 years earlier.
They sang together, “For He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.”
Most of the people shouted with joy, but some of the older men wept, because they had seen the beauty of the former Temple. They were probably weeping because the new Temple was nothing in comparison to the splendor of Solomon’s construction.
APPLICATION:
Bigger and more glamourous isn’t always better. It’s better to have an unimpressive exterior and a godly heart, than an impressive exterior and a godless heart.
While the second Temple constructed by the exiles was nothing in comparison to the Temple where their forefather’s worshiped, Judah was in a much healthier spiritual condition than their forefathers.
God was less concerned about the splendor of the Temple than He was about the condition of His people’s hearts.
God’s people could be faithful without a gold-plated Temple. They could also be unfaithful with a gold-plated Temple.
We need to keep this in mind when we are evaluating the success and faithfulness of a church.
The size of a building and the zeros on the end of a budget isn’t an indicator of the spiritual health of a church.
A church can have impressive facilities and be unfaithful. Another church can have impressive facilities and be faithful.
A church can be small and be unfaithful. Another church may be small and very faithful.
What matters most is the hearts of the people and their dedication to the Lord!
