Ezra describes a crucial time in Israel’s history: the rebuilding and
re-dedication of the Temple (Ezra 3:10–13). The Temple was the centerpiece of
the faith of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 12:5–7). It was the only place that
God had given them to approach Him (Deuteronomy 12:13–14). Gone were the days
of the patriarchs when Abraham would simply build an Altar and worship the Lord
God (Genesis 12:7–8; Genesis 13:18). For years, sacrificial worship only
occurred at the Tabernacle (Exodus 40:1–2; Leviticus 17:8–9). The mobility of
the tent meant that sacrifices and direct access to the Lord could happen all
over Isreal (Exodus 33:7–11). This was convenient in times of persecution as
the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant could be present wherever needed (Numbers
10:33–36; 1 Samuel 4:3–4).
For all the convenience of that special time, the Lord's plan continued
to unfold. The advent of the monarchy and the Davidic Covenant explained God's
ultimate plan to bring the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:12–16; Psalm 89:3–4). It all
started with David's desire to build a temple to replace the tabernacle (2
Samuel 7:1–2; 1 Chronicles 22:7–10). This had immense national significance.
The nation of Israel had gone from dwelling in tents to dwelling in houses and
villages (2 Samuel 7:1). They were constantly in danger of foreign conquest and
occupation (Judges 2:14–15). Now they were an established Nation with a
permanent place on the map (2 Samuel 7:10). The Temple was a statement that God
would continue to dwell with them (1 Kings 8:10–13). It meant that the place to
access the God of the universe was permanently located in Jerusalem
(Deuteronomy 12:10–11). The nations were meant to stream forth to worship the
God of Israel in this one holy place (Isaiah 2:2–3).
The unfaithfulness of Israel and Judah put a temporary halt to that
function and purpose (2 Kings 21:10–15; 2 Chronicles 36:14–17). God allowed
Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Jerusalem and lay waste to the Temple (2 Kings
25:8–10; 2 Chronicles 36:18–19). This changed everything. The people went into
captivity in Babylon; separated from the Temple where they needed to worship the
Lord their God (Psalm 137:1–4). This stopped the sacrifices, and the exiles
continued to worship God, study the Law, and meet, but they could not fulfill
the Law, because they had lost their place in this world (Daniel 9:11–14; Hosea
3:4).
The Lord was good to His promise and returned them to the land through
Cyrus the Great (Ezra 1:1–4; Isaiah 44:28; Isaiah 45:1–4). The people could
return and live according to the Law of Moses once more, just as God commanded
(Ezra 7:6; Nehemiah 8:1–3). This was a moment of tremendous celebration (Ezra
3:11). The Lord was faithful and had fulfilled His promises! Not all, however,
were cheering that day.
Those who had lived to see the Temple of Solomon could only weep aloud(Ezra 3:12–13). This new temple did not match the glory of Solomon's temple (1
Kings 6:37–38; 1 Kings 8:62–66). The beauty of the architecture and the
glorious history of that temple was gone forever (2 Chronicles 7:1–3). The
sound of the young people rejoicing was the other sound in the air (Ezra 3:11).
They had every reason to rejoice. God was faithful to them, they had their
homeland back, and they could once more worship God in faithfulness and truth
(Ezra 1:5–6; Nehemiah 12:43). The failures of men would never foil God’s plan
(Isaiah 46:9–10).
The old men were right to weep, however. The unfaithfulness of men had
not stopped the faithfulness of God, but it had cost them dearly (2 Timothy
2:13; Galatians 6:7–8). Solomon’s beautiful temple was a symbol of what
happened when men walked in faithful obedience to the God Who loved them and
provided everything for them (Deuteronomy 28:1–2), and it was gone forever (2
Kings 25:9). This renewed, utilitarian Temple was a sign of God's faithfulness,
but also a record of what the nation lost because of their sin (Ezra 3:12).
They were no longer a proud nation worshipping their God in a glorious temple.
But they were a humbled nation, allowed to return to their land and rebuild the
Temple at the command of a pagan despot (Ezra 6:3–5).
This powerful scene reminds us how we are always reliant upon God's grace
and love (Ephesians 2:8–9), and what we lose when we walk in sin (Proverbs
14:34; 1 John 1:6–9).
No comments:
Post a Comment