Why is the message of grace significant in the rebuilding of the temple?

In the rebuilding of the temple, the shout 'grace, grace unto it' reflects the overarching theme of divine grace throughout Scripture. This moment emphasizes that the entire process - from the command to build to its completion - was undergirded by God's grace. It was by His grace that the Jews were able to return from captivity, rebuild the temple, and restore worship. The principles in Psalm 127 reinforce this: 'Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.' This indicates that without God's grace and blessing, any human effort is futile. In the narrative of Ezra, grace is not only the means by which the temple is completed, but also a foreshadowing of the ultimate grace revealed in Christ through the New Covenant.