In Ezra, chapter three, verse two, the priority was to build an altar unto the Lord. The altar was the center of Jewish worship, for sacrifices and blood atonement for sin were offered to God. The people were motivated to build an altar, at least, because of the danger from “the people of other countries,” as in verse three. They knew that God would protect them from harm only as they drew near to Him in faith and obedience, as in Exodus nineteen, verse five, chapter twenty-nine, verse forty-three, and Hebrews four, verse sixteen, respectively.
The people understood the primary purpose of their existence. They were to offer sacrifices unto God as “a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation,” as in Exodus nineteen, verse six. Only by fulfilling this spiritual calling could they become what God intended them to be.
Likewise, believers in Christ are to be “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light,” as in First Peter two, verse nine, and to offer “spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ,” as in First Peter two, verse five, and Hebrews thirteen, verse ten. In other words, the churches today, as the people of God in New Testament times, are the heir to and successor to Israel.
From the proceedings of the Jews on their arrival, let us learn to begin with God and 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 as our Friend and to keep communion with him. Our fears should drive us to our knees without delay: whatever God calls us to do, we may depend upon his providence to furnish us with the needful means.