“In early autumn, when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled in Jerusalem with a unified purpose. Then Jeshua son of Jehozadak joined his fellow priests and Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his family in rebuilding the altar of the God of Israel. They wanted to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as instructed in the Law of Moses, the man of God. Even though the people were afraid of the local residents, they rebuilt the altar at its old site. Then they began to sacrifice burnt offerings on the altar to the Lord each morning and evening.”
Ezra 3:1-3 NLT
As Christians, we have no need to physically rebuild the temple in Jerusalem or its altar. Christ has erected the altar of his cross and made his body, the church, his temple. Yet for many of us, this temple lies in ruins and this altar, in our hearts, has not yet taken the blood of Christ upon it. Instead we have allowed it to be replaced by various abominations of desolation that brings us into slavery again and again. To rebuild our persons, we musta start at the heart and do more than allow ourselves to be the temple of God. We must prepare our hearts for worship of him in spirit and in truth. All idols and distractions must be put away and we should treat this space as the Jews treated the Holy of holies. This was the most sacred space on earth that was kept apart for God and his worship alone. Nothing foreign should be allowed in and all things not in submission to God should be kept out. The Christian church would do well to take a cue from our ancient brethren on this matter.
JOSH McGARY. COM 