They gave money to the masons and carpenters, and food and drink and oil to the people of Sidon and Tyre to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to Joppa by sea, as authorized by Cyrus king of Persia. Sermons
I. THE PREPARATORY WORK. 1. What was required (see ver. 7)? (1) Here we read of "masons." These suggest the quarrying and cutting of stones, and their transportation to the site (comp. 1 Kings 6:16-18). (2) "Cedars of Lebanon" are mentioned. These suggest also other kinds of timber. The trees had to be felled, transferred to Tyre or Zidon, thence floated to Joppa, and conveyed across the country to Jerusalem (comp. 1 Kings 6:5-10). Other preparations suggested by these hints. 2. How did they meet the demand? (1) Indirectly, by the gifts and sacrifices offered in connection with their worship at the altar. These were required for the support of that worship. But the' spirit of the worship thus encouraged animated them to further efforts. So it operates still under the gospel. (2) Directly, in their additional subscriptions of cash and kind (ver. 7). These gifts rewarded the workmen of Tyre and Zidon (comp. 1 Kings 6:11; 2 Chronicles 9:10). Also workmen of their own nation (comp. 1 Kings 6:13-15). How anticipative of the wide spirit of the gospel that Jews and Gentiles should be jointly concerned in this typical work! (3) Do not these efforts shame those of Christian congregations? Here were under 50,000 persons, all told (see Ezra 2:64, 65), equal to about fifty out of the many thousands of our Christian congregations, undertaking this great work! What are we, each individual, doing towards the building of the spiritual temple? II. THE STONE-LAYING. The arrangements were - 1. The appointment of officers for the building (vers. 8, 9). (1) Zerubbabel had supreme command (see Zechariah 4.). This he had as of the seed royal, and representing David and Solomon. (2) Jeshua the son of Josadak, as high priest, was associated with Zerubbabel. (3) The priests of the courses were his seconds in command - captains of the hosts of workmen. (4) The Levites were made foremen over the workmen. "And appointed the Levites," etc. (vers. 8, 9). There should be order in everything connected with the work of God. 2. The presence of all things essential to the ceremony. (1) The stone itself was there. This was a type of Christ, the Foundation of the living temple (see Psalm 118:22, 23; comp. with Matthew 21:42-44; Ephesians 2:20-22; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 8:14; comp. with 1 Peter 2:6-8). (2) Zerubbabel was there to lay the stone. In this he, too, typified Christ (see Zechariah 4:6-10). This language has unmistakable reference to the triumphs of the Messiah. (3) Jeshua the son of Jozadak was there to witness it (see Zechariah 3:9). In this he, too, was a type of Christ, our great High Priest (see Zechariah 3., and Zechariah 6:9-15). Essentials in religion are those things which concern Christ. These should be held as fundamentals. 3. The provision for the celebration of praise. (1) There were the trumpeters. These were the priests, distinguished by their apparel {see Numbers 10:8, 10). (2) The Levites, sons of Asaph, struck the cymbals. This was "after the ordinance of David" (see 1 Chronicles 16:4 6). The Levites also led the singing. This was responsive. The burden was "Praise and thanksgiving be unto the Lord;" the response, "Because he is good, and his mercy endureth for ever towards Israel." The leaders of praise in Christian congregations should be godly persons. III. THE EFFECT OF THE PROCEEDINGS. This was various. 1. There was the emotion of the people. (1) Excitement was so strong that it vented itself in shouting. (2) Ours should be intense as we realise the glorious things foreshadowed. 2. There was the emotion of the ancients. (1) While "all" shouted "because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid," yet on the part of many the shouting was mingled with wailing. These were the ancients who looked on the ruins of the temple of Solomon, which they remembered in its splendour. They saw a mere handful of people, the relics of a great nation as they remembered it. They looked upon their chief magistrate, a dependent upon the Persian king, in contrast with what they remembered of the earlier representatives of David and Solomon. (2) The passion of the weepers was such that it rivalled that of the exulters. No interests are so vital as those of religion. None should move us so deeply. 3. The outsiders heard the sound. (1) Those "afar off "were the Gentiles (see 2 Kings 27:6). (2) The nations of the world should be made to hear the sounds of Christian exultation. - J.A.M.
From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt-offerings unto the Lord. — A weighty truth is enshrined in this apparently incongruous fact. The worship itself is felt to be more important than the house in which it is to be celebrated (John 4:21-24). How vain is it, then, to treat the erection of churches as though it were a revival of religion! As surely as the empty seashell can never secrete a living organism to inherit it, a mere building — whether it be the most gorgeous cathedral or the plainest village meeting-house — will never induce a living spirit of worship to dwell in its cold desolation. Every true revival of religion begins in the spiritual sphere.(Walter F. Adeney, M. A.) They gave money also unto the carpenters I. THE GREAT WORK YET TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. This illustrates —1. The incompleteness of human joys. 2. The incompleteness of human works.The altar was built, but the temple was not begun. The work of the earnest man is never accomplished. Even when death approaches, most men have much which they desire to accomplish. This incompleteness of our human works is also ordered wisely and well. It tends to prevent stagnation; to rouse to earnest activities, etc. 3. The obligation of the Church of God. The Jews at Jerusalem felt themselves bound not to rest content with the joys and blessings of the altar, but to proceed to the more arduous task of rebuilding the temple. II. THE PROMPT PREPARATIONS FOR THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THIS WORK. Two points claim attention — 1. The variety of service and the unity of design. 2. The co-operation of Jews and Gentiles.Conclusion — 1. Are we "as living stones built up" in the spiritual temple of God? (1 Peter 2:4-6). 2. Are we also assisting to build this glorious temple? (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). (William Jones.) 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.) Sermons by Monday Club. I. THE BUILDING OF THIS TEMPLE WAS A VISIBLE AND ABIDING TESTIMONY TO MAN'S FIRM FAITH IN THE EXISTENCE AND POWER OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN. "The mystery of holy shrines," says Kinglake, "lies deep in human nature. However the "more spiritual minds may be able to rise and soar, the common man, during his mortal career, is tethered to the globe that is his appointed dwelling-place; and the more his affections are pure and holy, the more they seem to blend with some sacred spot, that belongs to the outward and visible world?' Temples tell us of one who is invisible. As Jacob set up an altar in the place where God talked with him and called the name of the place Bethel, so always men have erected memorial stones to commemorate their faith in God.II. THE TEMPLES AND ALTARS WHICH MAN BUILDS DIGNIFY A DESIRE ON HIS PART FOR NEARER AND MORE CONSTANT COMMUNION WITH GOD. From the first God had revealed Himself as One who was ready to meet with His people, to draw aside the veil, at least in part, and commune with them from off the holy place. Outside the walls of Eden He appeared above the altar of Abel. Whenever, in later times, the patriarchs set up an altar and called on the name of the Lord, they expected that He would come and sanctify the spot by His presence. They were not disappointed. Enoch walked with Him; Noah built an ark under His direction; Abraham saw His day; to Jacob He appeared again and again; He talked with Moses and showed His glory to Isaiah; Elijah's altar was touched with fire; to the whole people He showed a pillar of cloud and flame, and commanded them, saying, "Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them," and when it was finished, the shekinah appeared, God dwelt in the Holy of holies, and from off the fiery seat talked with His prophets and priests. Although under the Christian dispensation the idea of communion with God is ennobled, and the fellowship made more exalted and spiritual, so that Jesus Christ is now our true sanctuary and passover, still the old conception is not altogether abandoned. While the veil of the temple is rent in twain and every common bush is aflame with God, still there is a special blessing for those who meet together in the sanctuary. The place of worship is correctly spoken of as the "meeting house," the meeting-house where man comes to meet his God. III. THE CONDUCT OF THESE TEMPLE BUILDINGS INDICATES DETERMINATION AND SELF-SACRIFICE. (Sermons by Monday Club.) People Asaph, Cyrus, David, Henadad, Hodaviah, Israelites, Jeshua, Jozadak, Kadmiel, Levites, Shealtiel, Sidonians, Tyrians, Zerubbabel, Zidon, ZidoniansPlaces Jerusalem, Joppa, Lebanon, PersiaTopics Artificers, Authority, Authorized, Bring, Carpenters, Cedar, Cedar-trees, Cyrus, Drink, Grant, Hewers, Joppa, Lebanon, Logs, Masons, Meat, Money, Oil, Permission, Persia, Provisions, Sidon, Sidonians, Sido'nians, Stoneworkers, Transport, Trees, Tyre, Tyrians, Wood, Woodworkers, Zidon, ZidoniansOutline 1. The altar is set up4. Offerings renewed 7. Workmen employed in preparing materials 8. The foundations of the temple are laid in great joy and mourning Dictionary of Bible Themes Ezra 3:7 4424 cedar Library Altar and Temple'And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. 2. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God. 3. And they set the altar upon his bases; for fear was upon them because of the people of those … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Kingdom Restored Authorship of the Pentateuch. The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth Ezra-Nehemiah Links Ezra 3:7 NIVEzra 3:7 NLT Ezra 3:7 ESV Ezra 3:7 NASB Ezra 3:7 KJV Ezra 3:7 Bible Apps Ezra 3:7 Parallel Ezra 3:7 Biblia Paralela Ezra 3:7 Chinese Bible Ezra 3:7 French Bible Ezra 3:7 German Bible Ezra 3:7 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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