Community on Columbia

The priests begin to rebuild the Brazen Altar so that sacrifices and offerings can resume. They regather the stones that formed its base, and restore the bronze covering to the grate and fire pan. Later, they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and lay the Temple’s foundation stone, as priests sing and blow trumpets, and the oldest among them weep in sorrow for the faded glory of the original Temple and the sins of the people that caused its destruction. For Christians, the Altar is a picture of the cross, and the foundation stone represents Christ Himself.

Notes on Ezra 3:1-13

The returnees from exile are listed by families, and are led by Ezra, Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest. As in the building of the Tabernacle almost a thousand years before, God “stirred up” the hearts of those involved, emphasizing that rebuilding the Temple would not be a man-made project but a divine act of restoration.

Notes on Ezra 2:1-70

After 70 years in exile, Jews are now going to be allowed to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple. God :stirs the spirit” of Cyrus the Great, who offers to smooth the way for their return to the Promised Land. The story of their return from exile is a picture of revival and restoration, and of finding our place and ministry in the church.

Notes on Ezra 1:1-11

An unnamed angel continues giving Daniel a prophecy of Israel’s future. He predicts a time of tribulation but also of deliverance and salvation. There will be a resurrection of some to eternal life and others to shame and contempt. Believers will shine like stars. A series of cryptic time periods – 1,290 days, 3 1/2 years, 1,335 days – leave Daniel confused and troubled. The angel tells the prophet to seal up the book “until the time of the end.”

Notes on Daniel 12:1-13

The unnamed angelic being continues to reveal in cryptic language the future of Israel. The Jews will face a period of terrible persecution, but will prevail in the end. Israel’s independence under the Hasmonean dynasty ends with the growth of Roman power. Another willful king arises under Rome’s authority named Herod.

Notes on Daniel 11:1-45