Courage is not a lack of fear. Courage is doing the right thing even when we’re afraid. We see courage on display in Ezra 3, when the people came “together as one” (v. 1), built an altar, and began offering sacrifices “despite their fear” (v. 3).
The chapter opens with the notice that “the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns” (v. 1). The seventh month, or Tishri (September–October), plays a particularly important role in Israel’s calendar. This is when Israel was to celebrate the new year, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Festival of Tabernacles (see Lev. 23:23–44; Num. 29). This is also the month Solomon dedicated the first temple and prayed his prayer that foreshadowed the people’s sin, the exile, and God’s merciful forgiveness and restoration of His people (see 2 Chron. 6, esp. vv. 36–39).
The returnees wasted no time in getting started on the most important feature of the rebuilt temple: the altar. Significantly, they did this “in accordance with what is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God” (Ezra 3:2). The returnees made every effort to avoid the sins that had caused the Lord to expel them from the land. They were off to a good start, paying close attention to what God revealed in Exodus 27:1–8. In Ezra 3:3 we read that “they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.” This is consistent with what God commanded through Moses in Numbers 28:1–4.
Despite their fear, God’s people demonstrated courage in keeping the Lord’s commands and following the instructions He had given them so many centuries ago. May we demonstrate the same faithfulness over fear!
Go Deeper
What motivated God’s people to demonstrate courage? In what area of your life do you need courage to obey God?
Pray with Us
Dear Lord, You have given us a spirit of courage, not fear. Our study of Ezra reminds us that when we are afraid, we can trust in You. Will You please make us courageous?
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.Psalm 95:6
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