Ezra 3
Ezr 3:1
THE SEVENTH MONTH: The 7th month was a particularly
significant month in the Jewish calendar: blowing of trumpets on the first (Lev
23:24), day of atonement on the 10th (Lev 23:27), and the beginning of the Feast
of Tabernacles on the 15th. This was a time of great expectations in Jerusalem.
And so they kept the Feat of Tabernacles (Ezra 3:4), which reminded them of
deliverance from Egypt and the period in the wilderness (Lev 23:43). A powerful
reminder of the deliverance from Babylon.
Ezr 3:2
THE MAN OF GOD: Moses is referred to in this way
elsewhere: Deut 33:1; Josh 14:6; 1Ch 23:14; 2Ch 30:16; Psa 90, title. This
description, used in this definitive way, is shared by Elisha (2KI 5:8,20),
David (2Ch 8:14; Neh 12:24,36), and, more surprisingly, Shemaiah (2Ch 11:2).
Maybe we should bear these in mind when we read of our responsibilities in 2Ti
3:17 -- the only NT occurrence of this phrase.
Ezr 3:3
THEY BUILT THE ALTAR ON ITS FOUNDATION: On its proper
base, ie, where it had originally stood (2Ch 16n; Isa 8n).
Ezr 3:7
THEN THEY GAVE MONEY...: The Jews were having to
purchase their own building materials, because they had not been informed of the
provisions in the original decree (ie, Ezr 6:3,4). Their limited finances
restricted them to a small, unimposing temple (Ezr 3:12).
AS AUTHORIZED BY CYRUS KING OF PERSIA: This was the
original grant and decree, as received in Ezr 1:2,3 -- which seemed to say
nothing about financial support (ct Ezr 6:4).
Ezr 3:11
THEY SANG: "They sang together" (AV), or "responsively"
(RSV).