Now in the second year of their coming to God’s house at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all those who had come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, began the work and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of Yahweh’s house. Then Jeshua stood with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to have the oversight of the workmen in God’s house: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers the Levites. When the builders laid the foundation of Yahweh’s temple, they set the priests in their clothing with trumpets, with the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahweh, according to the directions of David king of Israel. They sang to one another in praising and giving thanks to Yahweh, “For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel.” All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Yahweh, because the foundation of Yahweh’s house had been laid.
But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice. Many also shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard far away.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 12 Which month contained part of April and part of…
Which month contained part of April and part of May: for in the mean season they had provided for things necessary for the work.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv8–13 Ezr 3:8 Now in the second year of their…
Ezr 3:8 Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.
Ver. 8. To set forward the work] To urge the continuance of it to the end, as the word siguifieth; to encourage and call upon the workmen to hasten and go through; to be as so many Eργοδιωκται, that the business might go on end, and come to a good upshot.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv9, 10, 12 Jeshua; not the high priest so called, but a…
Jeshua; not the high priest so called, but a Levite, of whom see Ezr 2:40.
To set forward the workmen; by their presence and favour to encourage them to a cheerful and vigorous prosecution of the work.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v8 There was no dispute among the returned Jews whether…
There was no dispute among the returned Jews whether they should build the temple or no; that was immediately resolved on, and that it should be done with all speed; what comfort could they take in their own land if they had not that token of God's presence with them and the record of his name among them? We have here therefore an account of the beginning of that good work. Observe,
I. When it was begun-in the second month of the second year, as soon as ever the season of the year would permit (Ezr 3:8), and when they had ended the solemnities of the passover. They took little more than half a year for making preparation of the ground and materials; so much were their hearts upon it. Note, When any good work is to be done it will be our wisdom to set about it quickly, and not to lose time, yea, though we foresee difficulty and opposition in it. Thus we engage ourselves to it, and engage God for us. Well begun (we say) is half ended.
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II. Who began it - Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and their brethren. Then the work of God is likely to go on well when magistrates, ministers, and people, are hearty for it, and agree in their places to promote it. It was God that gave them one heart for this service, and it boded well.
III. Who were employed to further it. They appointed the Levites to set forward the work (Ezr 3:8), and they did it by setting forward the workmen (Ezr 3:9), and strengthening their hands with good and comfortable words. Note, Those that do not work themselves may yet do good service by quickening and encouraging those that do work.
IV. How God was praised at the laying of the foundation of the temple (Ezr 3:10, Ezr 3:11); the priests with the trumpets appointed by Moses, and the Levites with the cymbals appointed by David, made up a concert of music, not to please the ear, but to assist the singing of that everlasting hymn which will never be out of date, and to which our tongues should never be out of tune, God is good, and his mercy endureth for ever, the burden of Ps. 136. Let all the streams of mercy be traced up to the fountain. Whatever our condition is, how many soever our griefs and fears, let it be owned that God is good; and, whatever fails, that his mercy fails not. Let this be sung with application, as here; not only his mercy endures for ever, but it endures for ever towards Israel, Israel when captives in a strange land and strangers in their own land. However it be, yet God is good to Israel (Psa 73:1), good to us. Let the reviving of the church's interests, when they seemed dead, be ascribed to the continuance of God's mercy for ever, for therefore the church continues.
V. How the people were affected. A remarkable mixture of various affections there was upon this occasion. Different sentiments there were among the people of God, and each expressed himself according to his sentiments, and yet there was no disagreement among them, their minds were not alienated from each other nor the common concern retarded by it. 1. Those that only knew the misery of having no temple at all praised the Lord with shouts of joy when they saw but the foundation of one laid, Ezr 3:11. To them even this foundation seemed great, and was as life from the dead; to their hungry souls even this was sweet. They shouted, so that the noise was heard afar off. Note, We ought to be thankful for the beginnings of mercy, though we have not yet come to the perfection of it; and the foundations of a temple, after long desolations, cannot but be fountains of joy to every faithful Israelite. 2. Those that remembered the glory of the first temple which Solomon built, and considered how far this was likely to be inferior to that, perhaps in dimensions, certainly in magnificence and sumptuousness, wept with a loud voice, Ezr 3:12. If we date the captivity with the first, from the fourth of Jehoiakim, it was about fifty-two years since the temple was burnt; if from Jeconiah's captivity, it was but fifty-nine. So that many now alive might remember it standing; and a great mercy it was to the captives that they had the lives of so many of their priests and Levites lengthened out, who could tell them what they themselves remembered of the glory of Jerusalem, to quicken them in their return. These lamented the disproportion between this temple and the former. And, (1.) There was some reason for it; and if they turned their tears into the right channel, and bewailed the sin that was the cause of this melancholy change, they did well. Sin sullies the glory of any church or people, and, when they find themselves diminished and brought low, that must bear the blame. (2.) Yet it was their infirmity to mingle those tears with the common joys and so to cast a damp upon them. They despised the day of small things, and were unthankful for the good they enjoyed, because it was not so much as their ancestors had, though it was much more than they deserved. In the harmony of public joys, let not us be jarring strings. It was an aggravation of the discouragement they hereby gave to the people that they were priests and Levites, who should have known and taught others how to be duly affected under various providences, and not to let the remembrance of former afflictions drown the sense of present mercies. This mixture of sorrow and joy here is a representation of this world. Some are bathing in rivers of joy, while others are drowned in floods of tears. In heaven all are singing, and none sighing; in hell all are weeping and wailing, and none rejoicing; but here on earth we can scarcely discern the shouts of joy from the noise of the weeping. Let us learn to rejoice with those that do rejoice and weep with those that weep, and ourselves to rejoice as though we rejoiced not, and weep as though we wept not.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv8–13 Now in the second year of their coming unto…
Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem,.... The place where it formerly stood; the Jews seem to have set out from Babylon, in the spring of the preceding year, as it was now of this; which to Jerusalem was a journey of about four months, as Ezra performed it, Ezr 7:9, but might take up longer time for such a body of people to do it in, being larger than that with him; wherefore, after they had visited their respective cities, and settled their affairs there, they came to Jerusalem on the seventh month, or September, and kept the feast of tabernacles, and then they returned to their cities again, the winter season being an improper time to begin the building of the temple; having given money to workmen to purchase materials with, and no doubt left a sufficient number to clear away the rubbish, and get things ready by the returning spring to set about the work:
in the second month; the mouth Ijar, as Jarchi observes, answering to part of April and May, having, as may be supposed, kept the passover the month before:
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began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak: the prince, and the high priest:
and the remnant of their brethren, the priests and Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; whose names and numbers are given in the preceding chapter:
and appointed the Levites from twenty years old and upwards to set forward the work of the house of the Lord; to put men to work upon it, and direct them what to do, and urge them to attend closely to it; ever since David's time the Levites were employed at twenty years of age, when before not till thirty, or twenty five; see Ch1 23:24.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv9, 11, 12, 13 Joshua - Not the high-priest so called, but a…
Joshua - Not the high-priest so called, but a Levite, of whom see chap. ii, 40. To set forward - To encourage them to a vigourous prosecution of the work.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv8, 10, 12 Verse 8. In the second year] The previous time…
Verse 8. In the second year] The previous time had been employed in clearing the ground, felling timber, hewing stones, and transporting them to the place, and making other necessary preparations for the commencement of the building.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 11, 13 Ezr 3:8. In the second month began Zerubbabel, &c.…
Ezr 3:8. In the second month began Zerubbabel, &c. — The building of the temple was begun as soon as ever the season of the year would permit, and as soon as they had ended the solemnities of the passover. They took little more than half a year for preparing the ground and materials; so much were their hearts upon the work. And Jeshua, and their brethren the priests and Levites, &c. — Then the work of God is likely to go on well when magistrates, ministers, and people are zealously affected toward it, and agree in their places to promote it. It was God that gave them one heart for this service, and it promised a happy issue.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 10, 12 Unto the house of God - i. e., to…
Unto the house of God - i. e., to the place where the house of God had been, and where God was believed still to have His special dwelling.
And appointed the Levites - This is the emphatic clause of the present verse. Though so small a number of Levites had returned from Babylon Ezr 2:40, yet they were especially singled out to be entrusted with the task of superintending and advancing the building of the temple.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv8, 10, 12 Work. Hebrew adds, "of the house." Josias had appointed…
Work. Hebrew adds, "of the house." Josias had appointed the Levites overseers, 2 Paralipomenon xxiv. 12. (Calmet)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv8, 9, 12, 13 THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE LAID. (Ezr 3:8-13)
THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE LAID. (Ezr 3:8-13)
appointed the Levites . . . to set forward the work--that is, to act as overseers of the workmen, and to direct and animate the laborers in the various departments.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv8–12 THE FOUNDATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE LAID, Ezr_3:8-13.
THE FOUNDATION OF THE SECOND TEMPLE LAID, Ezr_3:8-13.
8. The second year — More than a year elapsed before the new community began… to set forward the work of the house of the Lord — Other things first required attention. The people were to be numbered, classified, and settled in new homes, and many had to build them houses. Much time also was necessary to arrange for the feasts and offerings, and also for bringing material from Lebanon.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv8–13 8–13. The Foundation of the Temple
8–13. The Foundation of the Temple
8. The Second Year of the Return.
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of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem] cf. Ezr_2:68. Where the old Temple had been and the new was to be.
began] The meaning of this verb standing by itself, without an object and without a verb depending upon it, is not at first sight obvious. There are two ways of explaining it. (1) = ‘they made a beginning and appointed’—referring to the work generally; the verb ‘began’ being used without an object expressed. (2) = ‘began to appoint’—the two words ‘began’ and ‘appointed’ being, by a common Hebrew usage, placed coordinately. Of these two the former is the preferable. ‘Began to appoint’ gives a feeble sense. ‘Began and appointed’, i.e. ‘began by appointing’ expresses the full meaning.
Zerubbabel &c., and the remnant &c.] R.V. … and the rest &c. We find mentioned here (a) the two leaders, Zerubbabel the head of the royal, Jeshua the head of the priestly house, (b) the priests and Levites, (c) the rest of the returned community.
Zerubbabel here has the place of honour (see Ezr_3:2) in connexion with the building of the Temple, the commission which he had received from Cyrus. The prominence of the Levites in comparison with the smallness of their numbers (cf. Ezr_2:40-42) deserves attention. ‘Their brethren the priests and Levites’. (Cf. Ezr_3:2, Jeshua—his brethren the priests.)
appointed the Levites] The word ‘appointed’, lit. ‘to cause to stand’, is one very common in our author. Used of a building ‘to set up’, Ezr_2:68, Ezr_3:3, Ezr_9:9; Neh_3:1; Neh_3:3; Neh_3:6; Neh_3:13; Neh_6:1; Neh_7:1; of persons ‘to appoint’, ‘set over’, Ezr_3:9, Neh_4:13; Neh_6:7; 1Ch_6:31; 1Ch_15:17.
from twenty years old and upward] The limits of age for the Levite laid down in Num_8:24-25 excluded from service those younger than 25 and older than 50. The religious reorganization under David required the services of the Levite ‘from twenty years old and upward’; so 1Ch_23:24; 1Ch_23:27. The small number of Levites available made it all the more important to lower the standard of age. (For modification of original legislation see also on Ezr_6:20.)
to set forward the work] R.V. ‘to have the oversight of’, (Marg.) ‘set forward’. A rare word used in Ezra and 1Ch_23:4. Elsewhere it occurs only as a participle in titles to Psalms and in Hab_3:19 ‘for the Chief Musician.’
The Latin version ‘ut urgerent opus’ has suggested the rendering of the A.V. But the sense, suggested by the participial title ‘the Chief Musician, Conductor or Director’, is that of superintendence and direction. The R.V. construes ‘to have the oversight of’ here, and ‘to oversee’ in 1Ch_23:4, the word being in both places used of the Levites appointed to superintend the work to be done in the ‘House of the Lord’.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv8–13 (8) In the second year.—The second year of Cyrus,…
(8) In the second year.—The second year of Cyrus, B.C. 537, was their second year in the holy place.
In the second month.—Zif, chosen apparently because it was the same month in which Solomon laid the first foundation (1 Kings 6).
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Appointed the Levites, from twenty years.—Their appointment to superintend, and their specified age, are in strict harmony with the original ordinances of David (1 Chronicles 23).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv8–13 LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE AND CEREMONIAL…
CHAPTER 3:8-13
REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE AND OPPOSITION MADE TO IT.
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LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE AND CEREMONIAL ON THE OCCASION (vers. 8-13). Seven months were occupied with preparations. The winter was past, and the spring had arrived. It was the second month, Zif, the month of "blossom," corresponding to our May the same month in which Solomon had laid the foundation of the first temple (1Ki_6:1) when Zerubbabel judged that the time had come for commencing the foundation of the second. The correspondence of the month was no doubt intentional, like the correspondence of the foundations of the altar (ver. 3), and was to mark that all was to be as before, that nothing was to be wantonly changed. Zerubbabel and Jeshua presided; hut to Zerubbabel is assigned the chief part in the work. "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house" are the words of God himself to Zechariah. (Zec_4:9) It was arranged that the work should commence with a religious ceremonial, natural piety here suggesting what was not recorded of the "first house," though it may have occurred and not have been put on record. The ceremonial consisted chiefly of praise, and was accompanied with sacred music, according to the pattern set by David and Solomon in their sacred processions and ceremonies (1Ch_15:19, 24 16:5; 2Ch_5:12, etc.) Their special parts in it were assigned beforehand to the priests, the Levites, and the people.
In the second year. In B.C. 537, the second year of Cyrus in Babylon, which was also the second year of their coming (i.e. after their coming) to the (ruined) house of God, (Ezr_2:68) began Zerubbabel, and the others, and appointed the Levites. Small as the number of the Levites who returned with Zerubbabel was, to them especially was intrusted the work of the house of the Lord, i.e. the superintendence of the workmen employed to rebuild it (see ver. 9).
Vers. 8-13.
The first stone.
We now come in this story to a very critical time. The great work of the restoration of the house, for the sake of which the partial restoration of Israel to Canaan had been brought about and was to continue (see again Ezr_1:2, Ezr_1:3, Ezr_1:4, Ezr_1:5; also Ezr_6:3, noting further how, in fact, all recorded in Ezra, and even in Nehemiah, may be regarded as introductory, subsidiary, or supplementary to this point), at last is before us. We read, on the one hand, of the very last step in the way of prelude and preparation. We read, on the other, of the very first step in the way of actual construction. In both we shall find how much importance is attached to the juncture.
I THE LAST PRELIMINARY. The site being fixed, the workmen engaged, as also, we may suppose (the "second month of the second year" having arrived), the proper materials being now on the spot, it only remains to arrange, before finally starting, for proper superintendence. Who so likely for this as those who had a kind of family fitness or hereditary call to that work, viz., the Levites of sufficient age? And what so proper an age (i.e. if second thoughts are best) as the age fixed by the "last words of David" (1Ch_23:27, compared with vers. 3, 24-26; and see? 2Ch_29:25 as further evidence of the authority attaching to all David"s arrangements concerning the house) Such, accordingly, was the precedent followed by all concerned in this case. All who helped to make up the whole "remnant" that had returned to Jerusalem (including by name both leaders, and by express mention the priests and Levites, and by implication all other Israelites) approved of this plan. And all thus called and "appointed," i.e. all those Levites belonging to those families which had that hereditary acquaintance before referred to, equally approved of it too. Two families of such have been already mentioned among those that came up. (Ezr_2:40) We find mention now for the first time, though not for the only time, (Neh_3:18, 24 10:9) of a third, viz., the family or "sons of Henadad." Possibly these may have come up at some subsequent date, or it may be that they only form some minor division, which, as being specially qualified for the work now to be entered on, come specially now to the front. In any case it is a significant indication of the universal readiness on the part of all qualified Levites "to set forward the work." Indeed, in this "last preliminary" this seems the principal feature presented to us, this marked unanimity of will and judgment. As they appear to have travelled from Babylon, as they had harmoniously arranged in distributing the people, (Ezr_2:70) as they had all agreed about erecting the altar, (Ezr_3:2) so are they all of one mind also in this finishing touch. We may well believe that it was one secret of their happy progress so far. There is nothing so fatal as the absence of unanimity in building a house. (Gen_11:6-8) Nothing so effectual as its presence, especially where God"s house is concerned. (see Zep_3:9, Zep_3:10; Joh_13:34, 35 17:20, 21; also Act_4:32, Act_4:33; Eph_2:19; 1Pe_2:5)
II THE FIRST MOVE. This was the action, of course, of placing the first stone. (Contrast, as a description of utter destruction, Mat_24:2) How important a step this was considered may be seen by noting the formalities observed on the occasion, being almost identical with those observed at that more than royal progress described in 2Ch_5:4-14. (comp. also 1Ch_15:27, 1Ch_15:28) How significant too these formalities were in themselves. "Trumpets" are used commonly on occasions of state, to notify the approach of the sovereign, to draw attention to proclamations made in his name. In the Old Testament we find them employed to "sound an alarm," or assemble the people, or proclaim the Jubilee year (Lev_25:8-10; Num_10:9, Num_10:10; Joe_2:1; Amo_3:6) and that generally, though not always, in the hands of the priests. (Jos_6:6, Jos_6:8, 13 Jud_1:7; 1Ch_15:24 1Ch_16:4; 2Ch_5:12) The priests, therefore, as here, sounding these, and clad in official garments, made the occasion one of state in God"s name, as though himself present and speaking peace. On the other hand, the cymbals and songs of the Levites, praising God again in the ancient, national, and highly-esteemed manner, (1Ch_16:41 Ps 136; and the prophecy of Jer_33:10, Jer_33:11) was a kind of response to that voice. One is almost reminded of the "goodwill towards man" and "glory to God in the highest," when the foundation-stone of redemption was laid in Christ"s birth. (Luk_2:14) How important also the occasion was found to be in practice. Well begun is half done." A foundation-stone is both a proof and a promise a proof of much, a promise of more. How much had now been accomplished! How great a step at last taken I How much more might be hoped! When the heart is full of such feelings, what can it do but shout out. (see Zep_3:14; Zec_9:9) Compare also the shout of Xenophon"s returning ten thousand when they found out how far they had travelled towards the goal they desired on first catching sight of the sea. Just so the men here. "The foundation is laid. We shall soon have the house. Praise God." So they felt, so they shouted in the exuberance of their joy. So may a Christian also, when laying, as it were, by simple faith in Christ, the "foundation-stone" of his hope. With these "pleasures of hope," however, there were also sorrows of memory. Some fifty years or thereabouts before then there had been another house on that spot. There were "ancient men" present there who had seen it in all its glory. They could see it still in their minds. To them, therefore, this present "foundation-stone" recalled years of shame, and terror, and agony. Oh, that such a thing as this should ever have been required! That there should ever have been this pitiable necessity for thus beginning again! That there should be such a scene around them as they saw at that time! (see, even long afterwards, Neh_7:4; also Hag_2:3; Zec_4:10) Bursting into uncontrollable tears at these thoughts, they filled the air with their cries. It was impossible indeed for any to distinguish which kind of cry prevailed most, the cries of sorrow or those of joy. No wonder the story adds that "the noise was heard afar off." Regarded, indeed, from a typical and prophetical point of view, has it ceased echoing yet? (see inter Psa_118:22-24; Isa_28:16; 1Pe_2:4-8)
HOMILIES BY J.S. EXELL Vers. 8-13.
The joyful and sorrowful in religious worship.
Here we have illustrated the power of a right leadership, the wisdom of devout co-operation, and the progress of a great enterprise (vers. 8-10).
I The. JOYFUL. in religious WORSHIP. "They sang together" (ver. 11).
1. That God will deign to consecrate by his Presence the temple erected. God will dwell in the temple made with hands; what a condescension and benediction is this toward man; hence the joy.
2. What God is in himself to those who worship him. "Because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel" (ver. 11).
3. In the strength which worship imparts during the trying circumstances of life. Who can tell the gladness put into the heart of Israel during their arduous task by their worship. Worship inspires joy in time of difficulty.
4. In the progress of religious enterprise. Another house to be erected for moral uses.
5. In religious youth the joy of worship is eminently strong. Natural feeling combines with spiritual delight.
II The SORROWFUL in religious WORSHIP. "Wept with a loud voice" (ver. 12).
1. That sin has thrown life into such a condition that a temple should be necessary. Eden had no temple; heaven has none. Sin has rendered necessary the material aids to worship.
2. That disobedience should ever violate the holy sanctuary of God. The first temple had been destroyed; its glory had departed.
3. That the best temple man could build should be so poor and imperfect. The poverty of their work awakened tears.
4. That the temple should be so little cared for by man, and that so little good should be gained by its frequenters; so many of their comrades were left in Babylon.
III THE BLENDING-OF JOY AND SORROW IN RELIGIOUS WORSHIP. "So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people" (ver. 13).
1. A scene in the soul. In the soul joy blends with sorrow.
2. A scene in the sanctuary. In the same Church joy and sorrow blend in the experience of the worshippers.
3. A scene in the world. Sorrow and joy blend on earth.
4. Not a scene in heaven; there no more tears. E.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v11 And they sang together by course.
Ezr_3:11-13
And they sang together by course.
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Religious feeling prompts to praise
During the persecution in Madagascar, a number of native Christians would assemble at midnight in the house of the missionary for religious instruction. On one occasion they said, Mr. Ellis, we must sing. No, said he, it is as much as your lives are worth to be heard. They continued to talk about the love of Christ, and then exclaimed again, Sing we must. He cautioned them, and they added We will sing in a whisper So on their bended knees they quietly sang a hymn. But I could only weep, said the missionary, who knew their peril. (Sunday Companion.)
Building for Gods praise
During the months that St. Francis went up and down the streets of Assisi, carrying in his delicate hands the stones for rebuilding the St. Damiano Chapel, he was continually singing psalms, breaking forth into ejaculations of gratitude, his face beaming as one who saw visions of unspeakable delight. When questioned why he sang he replied, I build for Gods praise, and desire that every stone should be laid with joy. (H. O. Mackey.)
Who had seen the first house.
Declensions in religion observed and lamented
The first and second temple may be considered as expressive of the state of real and substantial godliness in our own land, in two ages not much more distant from each other than those were in which these two temples stood. What I purpose is to point out some of those articles respecting the first and second compared, which seem most applicable to the end I have in view.
I. That the first and second temples were built in the same place, had nearly the same foundation, and were both raised with the same design. The temple which we raise and that which our forefathers saw, are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets; Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone. We have the same Gospel, the same Saviour, and the same precious Agent is employed for conversion, edification, support and comfort.
II. That the first house surpassed the second, as it was made of more goodly materials and was built on a nobler plan. Whilst we are built on the same foundation as our fathers we are less perfect in the eyes of God than they--we have less dignity of character in the various relations of life--we are less fit to become the habitation of God. It is to be feared that we have less divine knowledge than those in the past; that the ways, works, and word of God are less studied with a design to amend and purify the heart, and that those ordinances are more neglected now than they once were which have the most apparent tendency to carry on a work of grace and piety. Our graces are defective. We are too apt to rest in present attainments. Our fathers seem to have excelled us in a determined opposition to sin--in a weanedness from this world--and in a spiritual, holy, heavenly walk. We seem less in earnest than they in the cultivation of those things that improve, enlarge, and ennoble the soul, and that stamp a dignity on human nature.
III. That the first house exceeded the second, in the manner of its dedication. The temple we raise is dedicated to God. How far this dedication falls short of that which our fathers made is not easy to say. There seems to have been no sacrifice which the apostles and martyrs were not willing to make; and they seemed to conceive of themselves as sacred to God. We are sprung from those who in their day were examples of devotedness to God, and who carried with them this persuasion that the temple of God should be holy, whose temple they were. Ancient men remember the dedication they made, the correspondence there was between their lives and that dedication, and the degree in which holiness to the Lord was inscribed upon them. We of the present generation seem to be making a more partial dedication to Him than our fathers made. Multitudes among us seem to be trying to serve two masters. It is alas! too apparent from the thoughts with which we begin and close the day--from the desires and passions that possess our minds through the hours of it--and from the nature of objects which we eagerly pursue, that we are not so exemplary in devotedness to God as many in past ages have been. The progress of a worldly spirit is visible among us; the great objects of religion are not habitually thought so amiable, important, and venerable by us as by the last generation of the people of God; nor is our regard to God, to Christ, and eternity so commanding a principle as it appears formerly to have been. Knowledge cannot so easily be taken of us that we have been with Jesus; nor can I think that we stand among men, like temples built for God and consecrated to Him as they did.
IV. That the first temple surpassed the second, on account of that holy fire burning within, which proceeded from God, They from whom we are descended were eminently devout, the holy fire, the fervour of devotion which attended their offerings and sacrifices rendered them through Christ highly acceptable to God. They were mighty in prayer. Those who never prayed themselves remarked their devotion. Their closets, their families, some social band and the house of God could witness their communion with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ; their pious breathings of soul--the holy ardour of their spirit--and that pleasure, that improvement and lustre they derived from thence. The friends of the Church and their country sought an interest in their prayers. I dare not say that the devout among us are as numerous as they have ever been, or that the sacred fire of devotion burns now as bright and strong in the breasts of professors as it hath ever done. Ancient men may remember when there was more apparent devotion in our public assemblies--when more preparation was made for a profitable attendance there--when family worship, reading the Scriptures, and praying was more general among professors--when private devotion was made a more serious business, and when more schemes were entered upon and vigorously pursued to maintain and transmit a spirit of piety and devotion in societies and the world. Some professors content themselves with praying in their families once a day, others once in the week, and many without praying at all. Devotion is one grand instrument in the increase of faith; in strengthening the hand and encouraging the heart in the service of God and our generation; in lightening all the burdens and afflictions of life, in forming the inhabitants of earth to a resemblance of those in heaven, and in drawing down the blessings of God.
V. That the first temple exceeded the second in the cloud of glory, that amazing symbol of the divine presence. God is present with His Church in every age; but in different ages, and in the same age in different places, His presence and glory have been manifested in different degrees. Where there is a spirit of prayer and supplication poured forth; where the house and ordinances of God are frequented with a high relish and growing profit; and where benevolent and pious sentiments, affections, and passions are alive in the soul; there God is in an eminent degree. That the presence and glory of God are not seen in our temple as in that which ancient men and chief of the fathers remember, is, I fear, but too true. With respect to some places, it can only be said, Here God once dwelt; and in some others that are still frequented, a certain languor and coldness attend the worship which the manifestation of the presence and glory of God would have removed. (N. Hill.)
Wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy.--
The same events may be a cause for joy and a cause for sorrow
The name of Ezra, which signifies a helper, is strikingly illustrated in the character which this excellent man sustained. He was pre-eminently so to the Jews just about the period of their return from the Chaldean captivity, He stirred up the spirits of many to engage with him in this sacred employment; he devoted much of his talents, of his time, of his substance, and of his labours to the work; he occupied himself in rectifying and reforming many of the civil, political, and ecclesiastical abuses. Ask yourselves whether you sustain that character in a religious sense which Ezra so admirably bore? Have none of you proved hindrances instead of helpers in the work of God? Have none of you endeavoured to impede the religious procedures of those by whom you are surrounded--in your families, or in the circle in which you move, or in your neighbourhood, or in the Church, or in the world? The immediate reference in the language is, the set time which God had appointed to favour Zion had come. Israel had now to be delivered from the bondage beneath which it had for many years languished. The circumstance which is stated here is very remarkable. It seems that when the foundations of the house were laid the younger persons in the congregation of the people shouted aloud for joy; on the other hand, there were certain hoary-headed men, called here the ancient men, who wept aloud upon the occasion. There is no censure here implied; I should rather commend them for their tears. And I purpose to show you that there often exists in connection with the very same events cause for joy and cause for sorrow.
I. First in reference to the fact which is here stated concerning the Jews. We are told that the younger persons shouted for joy when the foundations of the house of God were laid, and the elder among them wept for sorrow. Jeremiah predicted that this would be actually the case (Jer_33:10-11). What was there in this event to inspire joy? I answer four things.
1. First of all, the rise of this temple was a proof in itself that the fierceness of Gods anger had been turned away, and that He was now about to show mercy to His people. For a long time they had been deprived of their temple, of their altar, and of the institution of the most high God. They languished beneath His frown, but although He had punished them for their backslidings He had not utterly cast away the people whom He foreknew.
2. In the second place, now they had a prospect of enjoying an opportunity of attending on the public ordinances of Gods house. For a long time they had been scattered; the truly penitent among them had their private devotions by the banks of Kebar, and by the Euphrates they had wept when they remembered Zion, but they had no opportunity to convene themselves together to celebrate the ordinances to which they had been previously accustomed.
3. There was a third reason, too, and that respected the display of the power and of the truth of God. Here was a display of His truth in the actual fulfilment of the prediction of His word, and here was likewise an exhibition of His almighty power which had surmounted a variety of obstacles to the accomplishment of the important work.
4. Lastly, joy was natural on the present occasion because of the happy influence which this event would have on the interests of religion at large. What evidence was here given of the accomplishment of the promise of God illustrating His veracity and other of His perfections! What new facilities were now opened for the instruction of the ignorant, for the conversion of the souls of sinners to God! What a favourable opinion was likely to be produced on the minds of the heathen themselves when they saw the wonders which God had wrought for His chosen people (Eze_37:24; Jer_33:9). Now what was there in association with this procedure that was likely to awaken sorrow? There was much which justified the feelings of those excellent men who wept so that the noise of the weeping was heard afar off. For they could not but remember that it was in consequence of their backsliding from God that they had been so long suffering under religious deprivations; and there is something in the reminiscences of sin which will always produce some bitterness of feeling. Moreover they recollected the magnificence of the former temple; they could not but mourn when they contrasted the two structures. Venerable men, there was much worthy of their tears! There is a justifiable difference between the pleasurable joys of youth and age; in youth the passions are warm, health is usually vigorous, life is clothed in all its scenes which are yet to open with the freshness and beauty of novelty. Inexperience, too, disqualifies for a due consideration of those alloys which are always the companions of terrestrial delights. On the contrary, the ancient man is sobered by time, his feelings are mellowed by experience and observation. He is aware of much that will infallibly arise in a world of infirmity and imperfection like this to embitter the choicest pleasures, and consequently there is more of seriousness in the old mans joy and less of ecstasy. We therefore eulogise those old men for their religious tears. They had no intention of damping the joys of those around them; they had no intention of diverting the ardent zeal of those who shouted for joy when the foundations of Gods temple were laid.
II. I illustrate the history and the sentiment which I derive from it in connection with a variety of facts which will be found existing in our churches, in our families, in our circles, and likewise in the world at large, pointing our remarks chiefly at personal experience.
1. First of all we may apply the statement before us to the diffusion of the truths of revelation and of Christianity throughout the world in which we live. Unquestionably we have cause for gratitude when we reflect upon what has been accomplished by British Christians within the last forty years. We are building a temple which shall gradually rise to a holy building in the Lord, and the top of which, the pinnacle, shall pierce the very heavens. But when we compare all these diversified exertions with the immense population of the world who are still destitute of the privileges of Christianity, the contrast abates our pleasures, for it is no more than the small drop of the bucket compared to the ocean, than a spark of fire or the kindling lamp to the sun which shines in the firmament.
2. However, the principles we have drawn from this passage may be applied to the various exertions of zeal in the days in which we live. We cannot but mourn over the lamentable apathy in reference to public religions interests which a considerable number of our forefathers and of our ancestors displayed. But what a change has taken place--for one institution that was established then for the benefit of the various classes of mankind, there are actually hundreds existing in our land. Surely, then, it behoves us to exclaim, Come, magnify the Lord, and let us exalt His name together. But honesty and fidelity must compel us to say also that there are abatements of our pleasures even in connection with this delightful subject. For I ask whether we are not sometimes driving ourselves into the opposite extreme which draws us away from our family altars and closet religion, or at least subjects them to much hurry and confusion? I ask, too, whether there are not some things in connection with our religious procedures which should be carefully avoided--pomp, and vanity, and ostentation, and display? I ask whether there are not passing even at the present hour, lamentable contentions and strifes in connection with some of our noblest Christian institutions?
3. The principle before us would apply likewise to the religious aspect of things in your family and in your circle. Well may you exclaim, We have no greater joy than to see our children walking in the truth. But oh, is there no abatement to this pleasure? Is there no daughter who by her irreligion, her levity, and her folly, is the grief of her father and of her mother who bore her? Christian masters and mistresses, it may be that you have taught your servants and inmates to know the way of God, and there are some of them walking in His commandments and in His ordinances blameless; there are others who are evidently irreligious and living without God in the world.
III. Once more, however, and to bring our remarks to personal experience, the principle or sentiment we have drawn from this personal may be found applicable to the state of religion in your own souls. My Christian friends, compare your former and your latter state. Time was when you were all darkness. But one thing you know, that whereas you were once blind, now you see--see the evil of sin, see the excellence of the Saviour. And does not all this demand a song and an ascription of praise? Is not this event the result of the mercy of God which endureth for ever? And yet I make another appeal to you, whether even amidst all the joys there is much which should make you walk humbly before God, much which not unfrequently extorts from you the cry, Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Does not all this awaken painful regrets? Now let me say that this combination of joy and sorrow in the bosom of a believer is perfectly congenial and compatible. Professed humility, the habitual exercise of penitence for sin, and a joy unutterable and full of glory, may exist together in the bosom of those who are converted and sanctified by the grace of God. You have much to deplore, much that is to be removed, much that is to be accomplished; yet we would prevent you from indulging too much depression, we would tell you that the little leaven shall leaven the whole lump. Oh, yes! He that has begun the good work in you shalt perform it till the day of Jesus Christ; and though powerful obstructions may again rise up to hinder the erection of this building which you are rearing, the top stone shall at last be brought forth with shoutings of grace, grace unto it. And soon the conflict shall be over, the enterprise shall be complete, and you, like the returned children of the captivity, shall settle down in a better country, even the heavenly, which shall be your permanent abode, where there shall be no admixture of pain. (J. Clayton.)
The shouts and weeping of a day of jubilee
It is worth while noticing that while the old mens grateful tears honoured their God as really as the young mens shouts of praise, yet that these last were after all the truest to the fact, for that whilst to the eyes of those who had seen the house in her past glory this house was in comparison as nothing, yet that to the opened glance of Gods prophet it was even now revealed that the glory of this latter house should be greater than that of the former. At such a time pure exultation and absolute dejection are alike out of place. Shouts of joy which pass into sobs and tears, which tell of humbled but grateful recollection, are the meetest temper in which we can present before our God our best offerings. If, then, this be the right temper for our minds, it must be a proper time for us to mark some of the chief imperfections which have hindered our service, as well as some of those brighter features which may at once fill our hearts with hope and help to direct us in our further course.
I. First, then, for some of the leading imperfections of our work.
1. Now in entering upon this subject of the imperfections of our services, I may say at once, in the first place, that a work which is so much as this is, the coming forth of the Churchs inner spiritual life, must, by the inevitable laws of the kingdom of grace, bear about it marks of the sins and infirmities which at the time weaken the spiritual life of the Church. We shall therefore surely find repeated in this our work the transcript of our own besetting sins; our secularity, our love of ease, our want of self-denial, our low estimate or unbelief of the spiritual character and power of Christs Church, our indistinct apprehensions of her distinctive doctrines, our low sense of the power of the Cross of Christ and of the indwelling of God the Holy Ghost in His regenerate people, our want of love to Christ, our weak faith, our fainting love to our brethren. But to use this truth most practically let us endeavour to see in detail some of the special forms of weakness in which our own spiritual evils have in fact made themselves manifest. And first among these, how scanty has our work been when weighed against our opportunities. Where are nations born through us into the faith? Where is there not the same sight?--a little work done, feeble and divided efforts blest far above their deserving, but still effecting little against the mass of evil. Next, how late was our service! And then to note but one more mark of imperfection and instrument of weakness, how have our services lacked, alas I how do they still lack, that grace of unity, with which more perhaps than with any other condition, both in the Word of God and in the experience of the Church, any great success in the evangelisation of the world has always been connected! Who can estimate the measure in which these, our sinful strifes, banish from us the indwelling strength of the ever-blessed Spirit of unity? Who can limit the success which might accompany His working, even by our feeble hands, if there were but restored to us the gift of a true brotherly union and concord?
II. And yet with that sound of weeping should there not be for us also voices of men that shout for joy? For too scanty as our work is, compared with what it should be, yet is it in itself great, real, and increasing. Late as we began it, yet for three half centuries has God received from us its thankful offering. It is no little thing to have been enabled to plant the Church of Christ throughout North America. It is no light blessing to have been permitted to accompany everywhere throughout the world Englands too irreligious colonisation with the blessed seed of the Churchs life, so that even for the extent of our work with all its scantiness we may indeed bless God. And for our last and greatest imperfection, for our own separations, many as are still, alas! our divisions, yet are marks of unity appearing and increasing with us. How full of hope and humble joy is this days new and glorious sight? Surely it is written for us to-day, Rejoice, thou barren, that hearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which, hath an husband. But then once more there is here matter for our future guidance, as well as for our present joy. Such gifts of God as those which are this day poured, out upon us must not only be received with thankfulness, they must also be used with diligence: They are cheering mercies, but they are also stirring calls to duty. (Bp. Samuel Wilberforce.)
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The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On v8 second month
second month
i.e. May.
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v8 The Foundation of the Temple Laid
The Foundation of the Temple Laid
v. 8. Now, in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, about in April or the beginning of May, began Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, by whom he had been brought up, Cf 1Ch 3:17-19, and Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren, the priests and the Levites, as many as lived in or near Jerusalem, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem, and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord, to act as overseers and to expedite the work.
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v. 9. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah (or Hodaviah), together, all agreed on a plan of action, working in perfect harmony, to set forward the workmen in the house of God: the Sons of Henadad with their sons and their brethren, the Levites. So the work, under the joint superintendence of all the Levites, moved forward systematically and efficiently.
v. 10. And when the builders laid the foundation of the Temple of the Lord, when the formal celebration of the laying of the corner-stone or of the completion of the foundation was held, they set the priests in their apparel, in the garments of their office, with trumpets, the musical instruments used by the priests exclusively, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, 1Ch 13:8; 1Ch 15:16-19, to praise the Lord, after the ordinance of David, king of Israel.
v. 11. And they sang together by course, in antiphonal chorus chanting, in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord, because He is good, for His mercy endureth forever toward Israel, a section taken from one of the psalms of praise, as Psalm 106, 107, 118, or 136. And all the people, carried away with enthusiastic joy, shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid, so much at least was accomplished toward the erection of this new Temple.
v. 12. But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, of very great age, that had seen the first house, even if only in their early youth, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, when they estimated its dimensions and the size of the new Temple from the work done so far, wept with a loud voice, because it was evident to them that the size and the beauty of the new building would not reach that of Solomon’s Temple, not to speak of the loss of the ark and of many other costly treasures which could not be replaced; and many shouted aloud for joy,
v. 13. so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. The wailing howls of those carried away with grief was not easily distinguishable from the joyful acclamations of those who were filled with joy, so that only a great clamor was heard. Such was the celebration at the completion of the foundation of the second Temple. The little flock of believers certainly had reason for praising the Lord for all His goodness as they had experienced it.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 10, 12 second month
second month
This is the second month of the Hebrew calendar. This is during the warm season when people are harvesting crops. It is during the last part of April and the first part of May on Western calendars. (See: Hebrew Months and Ordinal Numbers)
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the second year
This is during the year after the one in which they returned. (See: Ordinal Numbers)
to the house of God
You may need to make explicit that there was no house of God standing when they arrived. AT: "to where the house of God had stood" or "to where they were going to build the house of God" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Jeshua ... Jozadak ... Henadad
These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
twenty years old
"20 years old" (See: Numbers)
Kadmiel
This is a man's name. See how you translated this in Esra 2:40.
translationWords
year
house of God
Jerusalem
Zerubbabel
priest
Levi
captive
descend
Judah
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv8, 10, 12 3:8 In midspring, the dry season was beginning and…
3:8 In midspring, the dry season was beginning and workers would not have to contend with mud. • The second year after they arrived was probably 536 BC. The delay in rebuilding reflects the time it took to get wood from Lebanon to Jerusalem. • The work force was made up of everyone: This showed the spirit of unity among the returned exiles. Putting the Levites . . . in charge ensured that the work was done according to God’s specifications.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.