“When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:
‘He is good;
his love to Israel endures forever.’
(Ezra 3:10-11a)
Our exiles have the foundation laid. This is big. We know the foundation is the most important part of a building. The portion that connects to the shifting earth and holds the weight of the rest of the building shouldn’t be taken lightly.
But this foundation also represented the beginning of God’s fulfillment to His people. And their reaction was mixed:
“And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. 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 3:11b – 13)
Those who were around before the exile remembered. Solomon’s temple was far grander, built with many more resources. But there was likely more to their grief, as age tends to open our eyes to what matters most.
The reason our group is rebuilding is due to the sin that led them into exile. And although this temple would be built, it will be missing an important element:
The Mercy Seat.
This mercy seat was essentially the cover or lid to the Ark of the Covenant, which God had Moses build. This Ark was a chest of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. Inside the stone tablets were placed which contained the Ten Commandments.
And over this, God had Moses make an atonement cover, or mercy seat. He instructed him to make two cherubim out of gold, facing each other on top of the cover.
It was here, on that Mercy Seat, when once a year the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood to atone for Israel’s sins.
And now, due to the destruction God allowed King Neb to wield because of His people’s sin, the Ark and its Mercy Seat were gone.
It would be 500 years before the True Mercy Seat would walk on planet earth. Until then, many who understood likely grieved.
I think it’s interesting the book of Ezra points out that “the sound was heard far away (vs 13).” As in, the peoples around heard them.
Even in the Old Testament, when God’s main focus is on one nation, He makes sure the surrounding nations hear about Him. His love toward Israel was never just for Israel.
Besides, He always has good news for those who grieve with their hope in Him:
“When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion,
we were like men who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
‘The LORD has done great things for them.’
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy…
Those who sow in tears
will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
carrying sheaves with him.”
There is always a spiritual harvest for those who allow God to use their grief for His glory.
The LORD has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.