The Second Temple, constructed after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity, holds a significant place in biblical history. Its construction began under the leadership of Zerubbabel and was completed in 516 BC, as recorded in the books of Ezra and Haggai. This temple replaced Solomon's Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The grief of those who had seen the First Temple is a poignant theme in the biblical narrative, reflecting the deep emotional and spiritual impact of the loss and the subsequent rebuilding efforts.

Historical Context

The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was a magnificent structure that served as the center of Jewish worship and the dwelling place of the Ark of the Covenant. Its destruction marked a profound period of loss and exile for the Jewish people. Upon their return to Jerusalem, the exiles faced the daunting task of rebuilding not only their lives but also their sacred place of worship.

Emotional Response to the Second Temple

The book of Ezra captures the mixed emotions of the people during the laying of the foundation of the Second Temple. Ezra 3:12-13 states, "But many of the older priests, Levites, and family heads who had seen the first temple, wept loudly when they saw the foundation of this temple, while many others shouted joyfully. The people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shouting from that of the weeping, because the people were making so much noise. And the sound was heard from afar."

This passage highlights the grief of those who had witnessed the splendor of Solomon's Temple. Their tears were not only for the physical grandeur that was lost but also for the spiritual and cultural heritage that had been disrupted. The older generation's lamentation was a recognition of the glory that had been and a mourning for the diminished state of the new structure.

Prophetic Encouragement

The prophets Haggai and Zechariah played crucial roles in encouraging the people during the rebuilding process. Haggai addressed the discouragement of the people, particularly the older generation, by reminding them of God's presence and promises. Haggai 2:3-4 records, "Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison? But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD. ‘Work, for I am with you,’ declares the LORD of Hosts."

Haggai's message was one of hope and assurance that the glory of the Second Temple would surpass that of the first, not in physical splendor but in spiritual significance. This prophecy pointed to the coming of the Messiah, who would bring a greater glory to the temple.

Spiritual Significance

The grief of those who had seen the First Temple serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly structures and the enduring nature of God's promises. The Second Temple, though less grand in appearance, became the setting for significant events in Jewish history, including the ministry of Jesus Christ. It was during this period that the temple's true glory was revealed, not through its architecture, but through the presence of the Messiah.

The emotional response of the older generation underscores the importance of memory and continuity in the faith journey. Their grief was a testament to the deep connection between the people and their place of worship, a connection that transcended physical beauty and pointed to a deeper spiritual reality.Ezra 3:12
But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Haggai 2:3
Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Temple Cleansed Again
... the treatment of the chief cornerstone in the temple of Solomon ... of men; a man of
sorrows, and acquainted with grief: . ... power." Rom.1:4. At His second coming He ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

The Rebuilding of the Temple.
... Then they began the Temple, in the second year after ... to the young, whose hope was
fulfilled, was grief to the ... their own houses instead of the Temple, and soon ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xiii the rebuilding of.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... captive.(20) What, then, was the grief of Him ... But the second temple had not equaled
the first in ... of the divine presence which pertained to the first temple. ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... What, then, was the grief of Him whose prophetic ... But the second temple had not equaled
the first in ... of the divine presence which pertained to the first temple. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

The First Part
... session answers to the tabernacle or temple; the elders ... to be transacted up to the
second and glorious ... for lost, so that John, overcome with grief, burst into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

A New Kind of King
... We see the sorrowing King plunged in bitter grief in the ... career, as at the beginning,
He should cleanse the Temple. ... The second one, as we gather from the other ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a new kind of king.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... of God restored, was dampened by the grief of others ... shook the earth; but under the
second temple, He would ... The temple in Jerusalem has been long since destroyed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... but much more so was his grief at its ... stringed instruments," are most naturally
understood of those under his ... in a material way in the second temple as renewed ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Jesus is Arrested.
... then made him cross the bridge a second time, accompanying ... on a hill to the south
of the Temple, surrounded by ... again saluted by the cries of grief and sympathy ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter iii jesus is arrested.htm

First Greek Form.
... not finding Him, they were in great grief, and turned ... third day they found Him in
the temple, sitting in ... letter Aleph; and Jesus says the second, Beth, Gimel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of thomas/first greek form .htm

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