Once the people had returned and settled, the priests began to build the altar of the God of Israel. They did this even though the temple was not yet built. They did this even though they feared the people around them. They did all these things in accordance with what was written in the Law of Moses. Before the people were secure and settled, before the temple itself had been constructed, the priests instituted the worship of God as prescribed, beginning with the various offerings. Their worship began with offering. It was the offering of themselves, in the midst of their uncertainty within and without. It was the offering to the Lord, in his way, as the object of their worship.

The people gave their money and their labor for building the temple. It was hard and costly work for the people to do the logistics, the labor, and the supervision necessary to complete the task. But once the foundation was laid the people took a break from their labor to praise the Lord. They were reminded of the Psalmist who praised God's eternal love. They did not lose sight that the building was not the point. With joy and with tears they came together to praise the Lord. This is how the foundation of worship was laid.


Application: Lord, help me to be an offering to you. Lay the foundation of the worship of God in my life.
One Word: Worship the Lord with praise