START AT THE ALTAR. Ezra 3:2-3 It is important to get first things first in the work of the Lord. Setting the altar where it belonged was of the utmost importance. God isn't limited to a building, but after 70 years of private worship in the ungodly religious world, it was important to establish public testimony, even out in the open, without a building. The altar emphasized the people's consciousness of God's presence and protection, and the onlookers who had moved there saw an attitude and a testimony of faith, even though they didn't understand it. The altar also emphasized the Lord's people's purpose and commitment and demonstrated that they sought God's power and dedicated themselves to publicly living for God.
It was the work of the priest, Jeshua, to build the altar. The leaders, Jeshua and Zerubbabel, made sure to follow what was written in the scriptures, specifically "the law of Moses the man of God.” They were serious about what God was serious about. There were no differences of opinion, preferences, or controversies. The Bible, the word of God, was their authority. They had sinned as a people, and the altar fire had been out for seventy years. Now they had experienced forgiveness and wanted that to be seen. Now they made sure things were done in God’s way, not for the sake of speed, ease, or expediency.
What God says is what is important. The scriptures contain all the guidance needed to keep us in fellowship with God and be willing to do His will. The instructions are given in the form of expressed doctrine or shown by illustrated principles that work when applied consistently with the whole word of God. Comparing scriptures with scriptures is the right way to gain the correct understanding of a matter concerning God’s will, ways, and work.
There were several things the returned exiles did together during that time when they united as "one man" in purpose. They gathered as one, set the altar on its bases, offered burnt offerings, kept the feast, contributed money, sang together, and praised the Lord in unison. That did not mean they could do, or even had the right to do, everything, but they strongly supported the actions of the priests and leaders so God's work could proceed without disputes or disagreements. The sacrifices were restored as evidence of restoration.
The tension caused by fear also prompts God’s people to consider the importance of carefully fulfilling all that God requires. When we gather to offer our gifts and worship, we help one another fulfill God’s purpose through spiritual gifts. Those who bring their offerings complete the full range God has always designed, bringing out the beauty of holiness when these gifts are blended. In this way, God's work advances steadily, resulting in a finished work that is His final reward.
They began with the altar and burnt offerings. This represents our Lord Jesus Christ and is the starting point with God. Our Lord Jesus offered Himself to God without spot or blemish on our behalf. All believers have been to the cross and placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We have been to “the altar,” where He suffered, died, and satisfied God’s holy demands against us. “Unto all, and upon all that believe.” This is the one place where all believers are united. There are no divisions or opinions to separate God's people there.
When a person is saved by God's grace, the public testimony of baptism, as a sign of living a new life for God, and gathering with the Lord's people to worship, is probably one of the best ways the truth of the Gospel can be seen, even without words. Keeping the feast for us is not just going to the Lord’s Supper once a week; we continually offer, worship, and praise the Lord. Our appreciation for where we have been, brought about by God’s grace, moves us to worship, wonder, walk with God, and work for Him. Young people, as well as the old, are involved in the same things. There is a time to praise God in song, and a time to dedicate our time and service to Him. Joy fills us as the work of faith we have been given unfolds before us.