Ezra 3:11–13 (ESV): And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
It is a very starling verse that will make you pause and reflect. Some people are rejoicing, and others are mourning, but everyone is shouting together, and the sound is heard far away. Why do you think there is shouting and mourning? As the temple's foundation is being laid, should there not be rejoicing? Why the grief?
Can it not be that the young rejoiced at the new foundation being built, representing a new life before them? A foundation that they have heard about, a place of security and provision, a place of safety in the presence of the LORD. Rejoice in your heart, be glad, and make music.
However, on the other hand, the priest and the elders have seen this foundation before; they have witnessed the beauty of the LORD and have been in His presence and have taken it for granted. Due to such disobedience, the temple was destroyed, and they went into captivity. Oppression, bondage, and hopelessness they were, yearning for the day the LORD would come and restore them, which was now. It's such a wonderful picture. For the one who knows Christ and may have been taken to captivity. Once again by sin. He who is faithful comes and says repent, lay the foundation as before, and do the works you once did.
Whether the foundation of Jesus is new in your life or the foundation of Jesus has been there, you have left it. The testimony remains the same: rejoice with joy or shed tears because your salvation is here.
Is the foundation of Christ new. in your life? What are your shouts of joy? Have you experienced this foundation before, and now you are seeing it again? What are some of the emotions you are experiencing?
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