Testimony in Troublous Times

by Ian McKee (Northern Ireland)

Paper 6 — Assembling at the Altar (Ezra 3.1-7)

Ezra 2 ended with those newly returned from Babylon dispersing to their own home areas. Many priorities had to be attended to. Homes had to be built; agriculture and horticulture established; and the essentials of Jewish society reconstructed. During that time they were very aware of potentially hostile neighbours. Thus they encounter pressures unknown in Babylon.

While many matters pressed for legitimate attention, Ezra.3 shows their priority was to give God His proper place. "Back to the Word of God" was their determining attitude. Their calendar year and spiritual observances must be Biblical, not Babylonian. They therefore commence their civil year, as did their forefathers, with the feast of trumpets. "And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you," Num.29.1.

Thus we have the first general regathering at Jerusalem for many long years. Individual submission to the Word of God produced unity of purpose and unanimity of mind. They gather at the place where their fathers worshipped and at the same time of the year in which Solomon’s temple was dedicated. "And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month," 1Kg.8.2. However these people in Ezra 3 cannot bring up the "ark of the Lord, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle," 1Kg.8.4. Much had been lost in Babylon, never to be recovered. And their return was not like that following the Exodus from Egypt. Hence they had returned without pillar cloud, Urim or Thummin, ark of the covenant, rod of power, divine fire upon the altar, manna, water from the rock, and, a mediator. But they counted on what they did have, God’s unchanging word.

So Jeshua and Zerubbabel, priest and governor respectively, and their families, built what could not be in Babylon: "the altar of the God of Israel." Like King David, 2Sam.24.25, they built the altar before there was a temple. They built strictly according to the law of Moses, Exod.20.25; Lev.17.2-7; Deut.12.5-11; 27.6, refusing to allow anything of human innovation. And in setting the altar upon its bases, they located it precisely in its former position on the old foundations where the altar of the temple of Solomon stood in the days before the exile. Thus their exercise complies with the Scriptural precedent of Moses, David and Solomon.

Continuing "steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine," Acts2.42 is the present day equivalent of this Old Testament example. Implicit obedience to the Word of God is still the hallmark of revival. And obedience is seen in both positive and negative aspect. They had learned by bitter experience in Babylon not to thwart Divine design. They would appreciate the injunction of God’s word, "Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls," Jer.6.16.

Their carefulness in exercise, while commendable in itself, must also be seen in the context of the opposition from the other inhabitants of the land. Fear brought them in dependence to God and in putting God first, they could count on His protection. Although His presence was no longer in their midst visibly, the efficacy of the burnt offering remained, Exod.29.38-46; Num.28.3-8. They give God His due even though everything was not complete. Consistent daily commitment marked them, which undoubtedly contributed spiritual tone to the celebration of their annual feasts.

It is significant that the feast of tabernacles is specifically mentioned, Ezra 3.4. This feast portrays the joy of millennial conditions. The vision of future blessedness is therefore brought to bear on present circumstances. For seven days the returnees remembered the wilderness journey from Egypt to Canaan and, no doubt, reflected with gratitude on their own journey from Babylon. Num.29.12-34 shows that the numbers of animals offered over the seven days of this feast was the greatest of all: 70 bullocks, 14 rams, 7 goats and 98 lambs. There is no delay in their unstinting exercise as they "offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required," Ezra 3.4. They evidenced willingness and commendable spontaneity.

Consistent exercise is also to the fore. Twice daily morning and evening sacrifices were constant. This also continued through the feast of tabernacles when additional, onerous and time bound exercises were observed. And they were assiduous in offering burnt offerings associated with: the new moons, a monthly exercise; the seven annual feasts, periodic exercise; together with individual and personal free-will offerings, specific exercise.

This activity and freshness raises questions about our spiritual exercise. Are we constant in that which is expected daily, the reading of the Scriptures and in prayer? And are we consistent in that which is regular, attendance at all the assembly meetings? Also, what about our response to times of special exercise in relation to series of gospel meetings or seasons of ministry? In appreciation of our privilege there should be nothing sporadic or casual in our attendance and spiritual contribution.

The interesting outcome in Ezra 3 is that the zeal and exercise at Jerusalem became known as far away as Zidon, Tyre, Lebanon and Joppa. May we, in our local sphere, develop a quality of exercise that will have practical and beneficial effects in foreign lands!                     

—to be continued (D.V.)