They overcame their fears by prioritizing worship.
“So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, burnt offerings morning and evening.” (v.3) This verse describes a pivotal moment when the returning exiles in Jerusalem restored the altar to worship the LORD even though they felt threatened by hostile neighbors. The location here is the ancient city of Jerusalem, a significant center of worship for the Israelites that perched on fortified hills in the Southern Levant. Historically, Jerusalem had been left in ruins after the Babylonians destroyed the city in 586 B.C., and now, in about 536 B.C., the returning Jewish exiles began the process of spiritual renewal by reestablishing worship at the altar.
The phrase “for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands” (v.3) highlights the courage and faith of these exiles. Despite intimidation from surrounding groups who had settled in the region during the Babylonian captivity, the exiles trusted in the command and protection of the LORD. They recognized that pursuing obedience—by setting up the altar—was more important than yielding to fear. This altar, placed upon its original foundation, reestablished daily sacrifices commanded by the Law, including “burnt offerings morning and evening” (v.3), pointing to constant devotion to God. These perpetual offerings can be tied to the New Testament reminder that Jesus Himself became the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), fulfilling the entire sacrificial system.
It is significant that the people rebuilt this altar before even constructing the temple building. In Jewish history, worship around an altar connects back to the altars built by patriarchs like Abraham around 2100-1900 B.C., which symbolized fellowship and covenant with God. Here, the people of Judah found a renewed sense of identity and spiritual purpose upon their return from exile, placing their focus on reconnecting with the LORD. Prophetically, the action of consecrating the altar can be seen as a foretaste of the ultimate redemption brought by Christ. Everything they did in reestablishing the sacrificial system pointed to the greater work Jesus would accomplish many centuries later.
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Ezra 3:3 meaning
“So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, burnt offerings morning and evening.” (v.3) This verse describes a pivotal moment when the returning exiles in Jerusalem restored the altar to worship the LORD even though they felt threatened by hostile neighbors. The location here is the ancient city of Jerusalem, a significant center of worship for the Israelites that perched on fortified hills in the Southern Levant. Historically, Jerusalem had been left in ruins after the Babylonians destroyed the city in 586 B.C., and now, in about 536 B.C., the returning Jewish exiles began the process of spiritual renewal by reestablishing worship at the altar.
The phrase “for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands” (v.3) highlights the courage and faith of these exiles. Despite intimidation from surrounding groups who had settled in the region during the Babylonian captivity, the exiles trusted in the command and protection of the LORD. They recognized that pursuing obedience—by setting up the altar—was more important than yielding to fear. This altar, placed upon its original foundation, reestablished daily sacrifices commanded by the Law, including “burnt offerings morning and evening” (v.3), pointing to constant devotion to God. These perpetual offerings can be tied to the New Testament reminder that Jesus Himself became the ultimate sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), fulfilling the entire sacrificial system.
It is significant that the people rebuilt this altar before even constructing the temple building. In Jewish history, worship around an altar connects back to the altars built by patriarchs like Abraham around 2100-1900 B.C., which symbolized fellowship and covenant with God. Here, the people of Judah found a renewed sense of identity and spiritual purpose upon their return from exile, placing their focus on reconnecting with the LORD. Prophetically, the action of consecrating the altar can be seen as a foretaste of the ultimate redemption brought by Christ. Everything they did in reestablishing the sacrificial system pointed to the greater work Jesus would accomplish many centuries later.