Matthew Henry Commentary Ezra 3:1-7

"And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt-offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon its base; for fear was upon them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt-offerings thereon unto Jehovah, even burnt-offerings morning and evening. And they kept the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and [offered] the daily burnt-offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required; and afterward the continual burnt-offering, and [the offerings] of the new moons, and of all the set feasts of Jehovah that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill-offering unto Jehovah. From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto Jehovah: but the foundation of the temple of Jehovah was not yet laid. They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, unto them of Sidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar-trees from Lebanon to the sea, unto Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia." — Ezra 3:1-7 (ASV)

From the actions of the Jews upon their arrival, let us learn to begin with God and to do what we can in the worship of God when we cannot do what we wish. They could not immediately have a temple, but they would not be without an altar.

Fear of danger should stir us to our duty. Do we have many enemies? Then it is good to have God as our Friend and to maintain communion with Him. Our fears should drive us to our knees.

The sacrifices for all these solemn observances were a heavy expense for such a poor group; yet, besides those specifically appointed, many brought free-will offerings to the Lord. And they made preparation for building the temple without delay: whatever God calls us to do, we may depend upon His providence to provide us with the necessary means.