The Building of the Temple
Rufus S. Green, D. D. Ezra 3:6-13 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings to the LORD… I. THAT DIFFICULTIES OUGHT NOT TO DISCOURAGE US IN THE LORD'S WORK. Paucity of numbers and feebleness of resources. Enemies. II. THE READINESS OF THE PEOPLE TO GIVE OF THEIR MEANS UNTO THE LORD (Ezra 2:68, 69). Their first care was the house of God. Without homes of their own, their cities in ruins, with a thousand demands pressing upon them, they nevertheless provided first of all for the worship of the temple. How needful the lesson! God's house before our own. God first and afterward self. This work first, and then our own. 1. They offered willingly. It was not the tithe which they were required by law to give. It was a free-will offering to God, and hence all the more acceptable (2 Corinthians 9:7). 2. They gave according to their ability. Proportionate giving as God has prospered us is one of the most pressing needs of the Church to-day. It is a duty as plainly enjoined as prayer and praise (Deuteronomy 16:17; 1 Corinthians 16:2). III. THE PEOPLE WERE READY TO WORK AS WELL, AS GIVE. The Church needs willing workers even more than generous givers. Hearts and hands are always worth more than gold and silver. 1. They worked unitedly. The people laboured "as one" (margin). Their counsels were not divided. There were no jealousies, no personal ambitions to hinder the progress of the undertaking. 2. The work was systematically prosecuted. Zeal and energy were displayed, but without making them substitutes for intelligence and adaptation. One of the great needs of God's people is appreciation of the advantages of systematic work. IV. THANKFUL JOY IN THE LORD'S SERVICE. The ancient men wept with a loud voice as they saw the foundation of the new house laid. Yet, after all, their weeping may have had nothing in it of the spirit of murmuring. Tears are ofttimes expressive of the deepest joy. "There's not a string attuned to mirth But has its chord in melancholy."The joy that is touched with pain is the noblest of joys. The sweetest music is written in the minor key. Possibly the noise of their weeping was more grateful to God than the shouts of their younger companions. (Rufus S. Green, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. WEB: From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh: but the foundation of the temple of Yahweh was not yet laid.