Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.
Be careful not to offer your burnt offerings in just any place you see;
Significance
Moses warns Israel against offering burnt offerings "in just any place you see" (בְּכָל מָקוֹם אֲשֶׁר תִּרְאֶה, bekhol maqom 'asher tir'eh), restricting legitimate sacrifice to the divinely chosen location. When the returned exiles in Ezra 3:2 build the altar on its original foundation and offer sacrifices "as it is written in the Law of Moses," they demonstrate careful adherence to this Deuteronomic principle of centralized worship. The post-exilic community's first priority upon return—rebuilding the altar at the authorized site in Jerusalem rather than establishing worship elsewhere—reflects their understanding that the place God chose retains its validity even after the temple's destruction.
Found via
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type
Allusion
Connection Method(s)
Redemptive-Historical Progression — the warning not to offer burnt offerings "in just any place you see" (Deut 12:13) governs the restoration's first act: the exiles rebuild the altar on its authorized site and sacrifice "as it is written in the Law of Moses," the centralization command advancing into post-exilic obedience.
