THE MAIN THING

From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, although the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid.

(Ezra 3:6, NKJV)

Cyrus, King of Persia, had allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple. The first part that was rebuilt was the altar. Immediately after it was built they began to offer sacrifices, as prescribed in the Law of Moses, before any of the foundation or walls were built.

Our relationship with God is the most important thing.

The sacrifices were the main activity in the Temple. It was through these sacrifices that atonement was made for the people, and their relationship with God was established and restored. Under Ezra's leadership, the people restored the altar and sacrifices first, before anything else, because it was the most important item in the Temple.

Sometimes we get caught up in the trappings of religion and ignore the main thing - our relationship with God. But if our relationship with God is bad, nothing else matters. Prioritize your relationship with God and communication with Him above all else.