We are in chapter three of the book of Ezra. Today we are going look at this chapter and see what we can learn together. I have been enjoying the book of Ezra a lot. It is very interesting and I hope you think so, too. Let's divide this chapter in half and discuss what is happening in each half. If you have not read chapter three yet, please take a few moments and read these 13 verses and come back to this study.
Verses 1-7 Worship Restored at Jerusalem
The people gathered together in Jerusalem. They built an altar to offer burnt offerings on according to the law of Moses, "the man of God." The law of Moses is found in Deuteronomy 12:5-6. They also kept the feast of tabernacles and followed the same protocol that was originally done. After this they offered the continual burnt offering of the new moons and all the set feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and for those who willing offered to the LORD. They started the burnt offerings on the first day of the seventh month but they did not have the foundation of the temple laid at this point. Nehemiah had been given provision from Cyrus king of Persia to assist with rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The king of Persia ordered cedar trees to be delivered from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa. Money was given to the masons and carpenters. They gave food, drink, and oil to the people of Zidon and Tyre for bringing the cedar logs. The rebuilding of the temple and sacrificial system was returning to Israel but it never held the same significance after the Exile as in times past.
Verses 8-13 Temple Foundations Laid
Time has now past and they are in the second year during the second month. When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they had priests in their apparel with their trumpets and the Levites with cymbals to praise the LORD after the ordinance King David set when he reigned over Israel. And they sang together in course in praising and thanking God because He is good and for His mercy that endured over Israel. They were so happy they all lifted their voice and a great shout was heard a great distance away. Many were rejoicing and were happy and they shouted for joy! Others were weeping for the former temple and the former glory. Something was different about this temple and the sacrificial system. It was not the same as before and many cried out in sorrow. The noise of the weeping and the rejoicing was so loud, no one could tell who was crying and who was laughing.
My take away from today's reading is that when we have a strong bond or relationship with the Lord and we stray, after we come back even though we have a strong bond again, it is never quite the same. It is sad when the hymns are no longer sung in some churches. It breaks my heart to go to churches with no altar to kneel and pray. We may think we are progressing when we change so many parts of worship but we must be careful to keep God as the most important focus. Many of us mourn the loss of these parts of worship because there was great significance in them. I remember grown men weeping at the altar, crying out to God, and the power of God would just fill the church. It was incredible! Miracles, signs, and wonders followed and now many churches do not even have an altar call.
I want to remember the former things with joy and continue forward keeping God as my focus. The people in Exile did not practice the traditional ways of worship so coming out of it, they had to learn what to do and what not to do, and when to do it. Let's not forget the old paths. It reminds me of the passage in Jeremiah.
JEREMIAH 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Sounds familiar right? Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30 to come to Him and find rest for our souls. And how often do we say, "We are too busy. We cannot. We will not walk therein." Friends, let's search out the old paths. Let's remember not tradition for tradition's sake, but the traditions that bring us closer to God. The old hymns that remind us of Scripture and the old rugged cross, the blood of Jesus, and His cleansing power still ring true today. The time to humble ourselves and kneel at an altar is just important today and as it was thirty, forty, or more years ago. The most important thing we can do is search out the old paths, the Old Testament words and remember why the sacrificial systems were in place. What did they signify? Why were they done in the first place? What were the things God wanted His people to do? What would separate them from the rest of the world? We must find those things today and do them. We must go back to our First Love and serve God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. He loves us so much. He does so much good in our lives. He blesses us and keeps us. Let's seek the Giver more than the gift. Take some time and just be in His presence, loving Him and following Him. We don't have to mourn the loss of the old ways if we continue to walk in them. And we are blessed with rest for our souls.
I hope that something I have shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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