4 They celebrated the Feast of Booths , as it is written , and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily , according to the ordinance , as each day required ; 5 and afterward e there was a continual burnt offering , also for the new moons and for all the fixed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated , and from everyone who offered a freewill offering to the Lord . 6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord , but the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid . 7 Then they gave money to the masons and carpenters , and food , drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians , to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa , according to the permission they had from Cyrus king of Persia .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezra 3:4-7
Commentary on Ezra 3:1-7
(Read Ezra 3:1-7)
From the proceedings of the Jews on their arrival, let us learn to begin with God, and to do what we can in the worship of God, when we cannot do what we would. They could not at once have a temple, but they would not be without an altar. Fear of danger should stir us to our duty. Have we many enemies? Then it is good to have God our Friend, and to keep up communion with him. Our fears should drive us to our knees. The sacrifices for all these solemnities were a heavy expense for so poor a company; yet besides those expressly appointed, many brought free-will offerings to the Lord. And they made preparation for the building of the temple without delay: whatever God calls us to do, we may depend upon his providence to furnish us with the needful means.