Ezra 3:3 (NIV)
"Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening sacrifices."
Does verse three have your attention? Who were these people the Jews feared? Life Application Study Bible says, The Assyrians forced foreigners to resettle in the northern kingdom of Israel after the defeat, a common practice intended prevent future uprising by conquered peoples. But, the Jewish people are faithfully moving forward with the plan to rebuild the temple.
Ezra 3:11 (NIV)
"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD: "He is good; his love to Israel endures forever." And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid."
There were mixed feelings as this plan was coming together. Those who had seen the temple before its destruction realized it was not as stunning in appearance. They mourned that loss. But the others, those who only heard stories of the splendor and opulence felt joy at this accomplishment, but, "No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away." (Ezra 3:13)
Today, I have to think about this last sentence. I think there is more to these words than I am hearing right now. Perhaps there is a mixed blessing, sort of the same feeling we have when we explain the reason for our tears. The moment is experienced in different ways for different people. Our feelings are often attached to our experience and our perception of the moment.
I would enjoy hearing your thoughts.
Read Ezra 3 here
Listen to Ezra 3 here
No comments:
Post a Comment