Ezra chapter 3
Temple built in Jerusalem
Raynette K. Weiss Ministries run by Our Lord and on earth by Rev. Raynette K. Weiss and Assistant Minister Jessie K. Weiss invite you to The book of Ezra Wednesday August 23, 2023.
Rebuilding the Altar
3 By the seventh month, the Israelites were settled in their hometowns. They met together in Jerusalem. 2 Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests joined Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel. They began to build the altar of the God of Israel. That’s where they offered burnt offerings just as it is written in the Teachings of Moses. Moses was the man of God. 3 They were afraid of the people living around them. But they still built the altar where it had been before. They offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord morning and evening. 4 Then, to obey what was written, they celebrated the Feast of Shelters. They offered the right number of sacrifices for each day of the festival. 5 After the Feast of Shelters, they had regular sacrifices every day. They had sacrifices for the New Moon and all the festivals commanded by the Lord. Also there were special offerings brought as gifts to the Lord. 6 On the first day of the seventh month they began to bring burnt offerings to the Lord. But the foundation of the Lord’s Temple had not yet been laid.
Rebuilding the Temple
7 Then they gave money to the stoneworkers and carpenters. They also gave food, wine and oil to the cities of Sidon and Tyre. This was so they would float cedar logs from Lebanon to the seacoast town of Joppa. Cyrus king of Persia had given permission for this.
8 It was in the second year after their arrival at the Temple of God in Jerusalem. In the second month Zerubbabel and Jeshua began the work. So did the rest of their fellow priests and Levites. And all who had returned from captivity to Jerusalem began to work. They chose Levites 20 years old and older to be in charge of the building of the Temple of the Lord. 9 These men were in charge of the work of building the Temple of God: Jeshua and his sons and brothers; Kadmiel and his sons who were the descendants of Hodaviah; and the sons of Henadad and their sons and brothers. They were all Levites.
10 The builders finished laying the foundation of the Temple of the Lord. Then the priests, dressed in their robes, got trumpets. And the Levites, the sons of Asaph, had cymbals. They all took their places. They praised the Lord just as David king of Israel had said to do. 11 With praise and thanksgiving, they sang to the Lord:
“He is good;
his love for Israel continues forever.”
And then all the people shouted loudly, “Praise the Lord! The foundation of his Temple has been laid.” 12 But many of the older priests, Levites and family leaders cried aloud. They had seen the first Temple. Now they saw the foundation of this Temple. But most of the other people were shouting with joy. 13 The people made so much noise no one could tell the difference between the joyful shouting and the sad crying. It could be heard far away.
Summary; In the seventh month after the Israelites had settled into their towns, there was a great assembly in Jerusalem. Building of the altar was started by Joshua and the priests along with Zerubbabel and other helpers.
Closing Prayer;Dear Heavenly Father, I praise and thank You that You are a good and faithful God, Who keeps His promises to both Israel and the Church. Thank You for the example of the priests and people in Ezra's day, who laid the foundation of the Temple of God, and blew their trumpets and sounded their cymbals to praise and honour Your holy name.
Prayer of Salvation to become a child of Our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and ask for your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you Lord for saving me and I know you will answer my prayers. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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