Ezra 3

1-7 Worship Restored at Jerusalem

1-3 In the seventh month, Jeshua and Zerubbabel and family build the altar for burnt offerings, setting it on its foundation “because they were in dread of the neighboring peoples” and offer burnt offerings. Commentaries say the phrase in quotes indicates they did this quickly so enemies would not hinder them from seeking help from God.

4-5 They observe the festival of booths, and begin to offer daily burnt offerings and to observe all the sacred festivals.

6-7 They give money to masons and carpenters and food, drink and oil to Sidonians and Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon.

8-13 Foundation Laid for the Temple

8-9 In the 2nd year, 2nd month, Zerubbabel and Jeshua appoint Levites to have oversight of the work on the temple.

10-13 When the temple foundations are laid, the musicians respond with trumpets, cymbals and singing with joy, but

old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away.

A poignant picture of how precious this sight was to those who were older and how they must have longed to see the temple again. Many probably thought they’d never see their homeland – much less the temple – again.