Ezra 3:2
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.
Soon after the return from exile, the people gathered together in Jerusalem in the seventh month. Jeshua son of Jozadak stood up with his brethren the priests, together with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel with his brethren and associates, and set the altar upon its base on the former site where the temple altar had stood. They rebuilt the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings upon it as written and prescribed in the law of Moses the man of God, thus restoring the sacred services that had been interrupted by the destruction of Jerusalem, with sacrifices offered morning and evening. Fear of the peoples surrounding them did not prevent them from restoring worship.
The daily burnt offerings cheered the faithful remnant among the returned exiles. They valued the approval and forgiveness of God above the restoration of property and privileges, and they longed for a lasting token of His presence among them. The restoration of the altar strengthened their hope of beholding the glory of God in the temple yet to be rebuilt.
The verse calls upon God's people to rise up at once and without delay to build a house for the Lord where He has directed them to locate it. Such a building is to show honor to Him, providing a place where they may worship God in humbleness of mind and kneeling, and serve Him fittingly and in order, undertaken in faith and haste. It is to be dedicated to God as a witness to the truth they believe. The rebuilding was God-appointed work that those not in harmony with God tried to hinder and counterwork. To attempt to hinder such good work, even by those who have received light from God, offends God, and He will not endorse, approve, or countenance it.