Key Text: All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid (Ezra 3:11).
Ezra, the priest, records when Jerusalem had been in ruins for half a century and how a large contingent of exiles returned to their homeland. During the 70 years of Israel’s absence were deportees brought in from other countries by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. These inhabitants saw the Jews as a threat and quickly wanted to undermine their allegiance to God. Prominent figures were governors Sheshbazzar, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua (the high priest). It took 20 years before the returnees were able to complete the building of the temple. This was the result of unity for the same purpose, a basic foundation for accomplishing a work for God. The lack of unity is one of the hindrances to revival in the 21st century church.
Beyond the daily sacrifices, the people observed occasions. The burnt offerings commanded for several days of this festival. On the first day 13 oxen, on the second day 12, and so on. After the Feast of Tabernacles, the priests observed the “new moons and set feasts…and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the Lord” v 5. With the sacrificial worship reestablished; the people gave money and began the task of rebuilding the Temple. “In the second year”, Levites (Jeshua, Dadmiel, Henadad, and their respective families) were given the responsibility to oversee the rebuilding of the Temple. The laying of the foundation was accompanied by festivity and singing. Perhaps Psalm 136:1 and Psalm 165 were written and sung for this occasion. There was sorrow that mingled with joy. Those who were old and who had seen the original Temple “wept with a loud voice” v 12. Their tears came probably because the new Temple would not attain the glory and beauty of the original Temple. The nation was small and weak, the temple smaller and less beautiful by far and the ark was gone. Now Israel was dependent on the good will of a foreign overlord and had to fear intervention by petty neighboring adversaries. No doubt some of the tears were salted with remorse over the folly which had destroyed the temple and nation. Even though their fears were not unfounded, their prayer, though not answered for a long time, did not go unheard. AMEN!
 Bracks Chapel CME Church |  New Hope CME Church |
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