Ezra 3:1-7
We now read of the united coming together of the returned Israelites to Jerusalem where Jeshua, Zerubbabel and the priests set up the alter of God. They began offering burnt and freewill offerings and kept all the set feasts according to God's laws as written by Moses. Money, food and oil was also given to the builders of the temple and to purchase ceder trees from Lebanon.
I particularly noticed how verse 3 records, 'And they set the alter upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those countries; and they offered burnt offerings thereon to the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening.'
Even though the first foundation stone of the rebuilding of the temple had yet to be laid, the alter was built and the offerings commenced as according to the law. The reason - not only the last 70 years experience of the LORD's chastising hand upon them for forsaking him, but a fear of the surrounding people.
These Israelites knew and felt they had a need of God's care and protection. They had a strong united desire to seek after God and his ways. The way set out for them to seek God's forgiveness for the continual breaking of his holy law (because of their human nature as sinners), was at the alter through burnt offerings. They lost no time in setting this up and commencing the offerings. Their actions demonstrated a complete turning around from their ancestors regard of God to a wholehearted clinging to his ways - repentance.
It reminds me of sinners coming to the Lord Jesus. We often think we need to be better before we come to him - we need to be better at our Bible readings, prayers, worship - we need to be walking a more perfect life - we need to get rid of certain sins or feelings of guilt before we can approach him and expect him to take notice of us. It is as if we are thinking we need to rebuild our temple before we can start offering sacrifices.
What a contrast the gospel is! I shall never forget the time when I really noticed the question, "Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?"... the answer..."They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick....I (Jesus) am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9: 11-13). I suddenly realised how qualified I was to come to the Lord for forgiveness! I knew I was a sinner. What encouragement to come to him!
Has the Holy Spirit worked in you to show to you your need of a Saviour? Do you have a deep unsatisfied unrest? Are you sad, lonely, frightened? Come to this dear Saviour - this friend that sticketh closer than a brother - do you say you don't know how to come? Tell him just that - kneel before him and tell him. He sees you and hears you. Do you remember how God said to Moses regarding the children of Israel when they had become slaves to the Egyptians, 'I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows (Exodus 3:7)? Although we cannot see God, he knows every one of us and sees and hears us wherever we are. (Psalm 139).
Well, as these repentant fearful Israelites offered sacrifices to God in a ruined temple, before they had even laid the first foundation stone, so may we without delay, without trying to make ourselves better, come to the dear Lord Jesus in prayer and ask for his mercy and forgiveness.
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