4 And they kept the Feast of Booths, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number according to the rule, as each day required, 5 and after that the regular burnt offerings, the offerings at the new moon and at all the appointed feasts of the LORD, and the offerings of everyone who made a freewill offering to the LORD.~
Ezra 3:4-5 (ESV)
Recap
We saw yesterday that the returnees had been in Israel some time before they got together as one to rebuild the temple, starting with the altar. Maybe they thought there was no rush since it had already been some 70 years since sacrifices and offerings had been made. Part of the reason was fear of those living around them (v3) – that re-instituting worship would invoke the favor and protection of the Lord.
Worship restored
When we say worship was restored, we need to be clear. For them, a huge part of their way to worship was through the sacrifices and burnt offerings. The setting up of the altar enabled that. And they had a LOT of them! On this page, gotquestions.org summarizes all the sacrifices. For additional reading, this article by Bible Project provides a nice explanation of sacrifice in the Bible from its foundation in the OT to its fulfillment in Jesus.
Our worship
What is our worship now that Christ has fulfilled the OT law and offered Himself as the one, final, perfect sacrifice? Does God still require sacrifices from us and, if so, what is the sacrifice He desires? Romans 12:1-2: “Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Reflect
Am I in a spiritual “funk”? Has it been a while since I worshiped by sacrificing myself and giving what I have to Him and His will? It’s not just going to church or doing good works, worship is our life. I encourage you to offer yourself – your mind, will, emotions, even your body, to the Lord. Seek to please Him.
