Ezra 3:1
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. 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.
The verse portrays the returned exiles after completing the long desert journey in safety under Zerubbabel, a descendant of David, as governor and Joshua as high priest, while they were in the cities before gathering to Jerusalem. In the seventh month soon after returning from exile, the people gathered together at Jerusalem united as one man. Their gathering began the restoration of worship by speedily rebuilding the altar on the site of the ancient altar in the temple court and resuming the daily burnt offerings and feast-day services prescribed by the law, including the Feast of Tabernacles. This was done to reestablish the sacred services interrupted when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem, although the temple foundation had not yet been laid and before scattering to settle the homes they were restoring.
The setting up of the altar of daily burnt offerings cheered the faithful remnant as an abiding token of divine forgiveness and favor. It was valued above personal property and ancient privileges. With joyous anticipation they looked forward to the rebuilt temple and the shining forth of God's glory from within.
The gathering teaches that honoring God requires rising up at once and without delay to build a house for the Lord where He has directed His people to locate. That work calls for faith of the right quality and finishing in haste so it can be dedicated for worship. That built house stands as a witness to the truth believed and provides a place where God can be worshiped in all humbleness of mind, with kneeling, with becoming and orderly service, and with dedication to God. The gathering to do the work God by His appointment said should be done opened the experience in which those not in harmony with God tried to hinder that work. Any attempt to counterwork the Lord's plans and hinder the good work being accomplished, as in the work at Nashville, even by those who have light, is an offense to God that He will not endorse or countenance.