Ezra 3
-Jeshua and his brothers with Zerubbabel and his brothers
led the effort to rebuild the Temple when the seventh month came and the sons
of Israel were now back in their cities. The people gathered in unity at
Jerusalem realizing that they first and foremost needed God for their
protection in a hostile environment rather than walls and political protection.
They built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it
is written in the law of Moses, “the man of God (Ezra 3:1-3).” At this time
they celebrated the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) and continued in offering
burnt offering unto the LORD in repentance and devotion of faith. There was
again consecration and holiness of heart in the returned exiles and from
everyone who offered a freewill offering unto the LORD (Ezra 3:4-5). This was
all done before even the foundation of the Temple was re-laid (Ezra 3:6). Now
preparations were being made to bring in resources from the north, just like in
Solomon’s time (trade was an important aspect since timber was sparse in this
region). The wood was brought down by boat to Joppa and then transported to
Jerusalem under the permission of Cyrus, king of Persia (Ezra 3:7).
-In the second year of their coming back to the land and the
House of God in Jerusalem, they began the work and appointed Levites 20 years
and older to oversee the work on the Temple. “Jeshua with his sons and brothers
stood united with Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, and the sons of
Henadad with their sons and brothers the Levites, to oversee the workmen in the
Temple of God (Ezra 3:8-9).” As the foundation was laid, the priests stood in
their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites with cymbals to offer in
celebration and worship unto the LORD according to the ancient directions of
King David of Israel (Ezra 3:10). “They sang, praising and giving thanks to the
LORD saying, ‘For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.’
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD
because the foundation of the House of the LORD was laid. Yet many of the
priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen
the first Temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this House was
laid before their eyes, while many shouted for joy, so that the people could
not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of
the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and sound was heard far
away (Ezra 3:11-13).”
-*Application* We must recognize that in a hostile
environment where we are tempted to be “terrified because of the peoples of the
lands” the LORD is our only rescue and eternal strength. The first thing for
you to do in protection is build the Temple of your heart by trusting in Christ
and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. If you have this
you don’t need the other, superficial, protections and security. Realize that
God is the utmost and primary thing that you need in your life for well-being,
soundness, and completion (the Hebrew word for this is Shalom). Further, when the Spirit moves, there will always be a
mixture of emotions. The Israelites recognized the sorrow of failing God in
their sin and how that taints His glory. The former and first glory of the
Temple far surpassed the new rendition, and it made them reflectively sorrow.
This is Godly sorrow and leads to repentance. The other emotion in that is
pure, unadulterated joy and celebration with intense shouting and praise. This
is because of a recognition of God’s deliverance, mercy, and grace to redeem
all that was lost. The two coincide and blend together. God loves both and
wants all our heart’s emotions poured out on His altar during these times of
spiritual growth.
Verse to Memorize:
Ezra 3:11-12
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