Introduction
B. The Rebuilding of the Temple chs. 3-6
Construction of the temple began soon after the exiles returned to Jerusalem. However, problems threatened the completion of the project. First, the immigrants contemplated abandoning their religious distinctives to get along with their neighbors (ch. 4). Then, opposition from their enemies threatened to terminate construction.
"The temple was the basis for the postexilic community’s fellowship with God." [Note: John A. Martin, "Ezra," in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament, p. 659.]
"In a sense the standing of the furnished Temple of God symbolizes the existence of his covenant with his people. This is why the rebuilding of the Temple occupies so central a place in the Book of Ezra." [Note: J. G. McConville, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, p. 11.]
1. The beginning of construction ch. 3
In view of the temple’s importance, the writer devoted quite a bit of space to narrating the events that accompanied its construction.
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