After U.N. resolution on settlements, Israelis say the worst is yet to come

[Xolodno]

7. That one is in regaurd to how it should be built.

But its not a command to build it.

But 2 Samuel 7, which is earlier than Ezra, God asks rhetorically when did he ever ask for a temple and even seems to reject the idea. Ultimately he does bless the endeavor, but more as a concession.

It's also technically the second temple and Herod's was the third as he had to basically tear down the old one to build a larger and more "grand" temple. But don't tell a fundie that, they'll go nuts. Or for that matter a deeply orthodox Jew, they'll go red in the face and say it was "remodeled". The thought of a converted half Edomite whose only legit claim to the throne was that he married a Maccabee princess is responsible for the last Temple doesn't quite sit well with some.

There is actually more instruction and direct command on how to build the Tabernacle than there is the temple.

Its ironic, but the temple treasury is what ultimately made it a tempting target and being stationary, an easy one. Had they stuck with the Tabernacle, they could have easily moved away during foreign invasions.