Ezra 3:5
And afterward offered the continuall burnt offering, both of the new moones, and of all the set feasts of the Lord, that were consecrated, and of euery one that willingly offred, offered a free will offering vnto the Lord. Ezra 3:5 (KJV)
The book of Ezra describes the events following the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem. This verse is situated in the section that focuses on the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel. In this verse, the people of Israel are depicted as resuming the worship practices and sacrifices that had been prescribed by the Mosaic law. They offered the continual burnt offering, which was a daily sacrifice representing the people’s devotion and commitment to God. The verse also mentions the observance of the new moons and the set feasts of the Lord. The new moon was the beginning of each lunar month and was marked as a time of special worship. The set feasts referred to the various annual festivals and holy days commanded by God, such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The verse concludes by highlighting the voluntary offerings brought by the people. These freewill offerings were given out of a willing heart and not mandated by the law. The phrase “the continual burnt offering” emphasizes the importance of maintaining the regularity and consistency of worship. It suggests that despite the challenging circumstances they faced, the Israelites were determined to reinstate their worship practices and honor God according to His commands. They offered the continual burnt offering, a daily sacrifice representing the people’s devotion and commitment to God, along with a meat offering that included a portion of leavened bread and a drink offering, all performed in accordance with the commandments given to Moses. Overall, Ezra 3:5 portrays the Israelites’ reestablishment of their worship practices, including daily sacrifices, observance of appointed times, and voluntary offerings. This verse showcases their dedication to God and their commitment to honoring Him through acts of worship and devotion.
