Beech Tree News Network

In the last few verses of Ezra 3, we see the people's response to the singing and ceremony that has taken place with the laying of the Temple’s foundation. The ancient people who remembered Solomon’s Temple cried while the younger generation rejoiced at the foundation they saw (Ezra 3:11-13).

Why the difference in responses? Shouldn’t all have been happy? Perhaps they would all be satisfied one day, but for the moment, an older generation could remember the glory of a Temple made with the best of the best (I Kings 7). They knew this building would be nothing compared to what was lost.

God called the prophet Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people, to remind them that even though there were folks who remembered the former temple, this temple would also be a blessing to them (Hag. 2:9). No doubt these words would have been an encouragement to the younger, as well as a comfort to those who could remember what had been lost to the Babylonians years ago (II Kings 25:1-21).

Why had they lost the last temple? Not merely because a foreign enemy came, but because of the sin in the land (Hab. 1:6-11; Lam. 1:8; Jer. 1:13-19, ch. 28). They suffered and were punished for their sins, and this meant losing the very structure that they thought would never be lost (Jer. 7:4). Now, having returned from captivity, and enjoying freedom once more, they must face the consequences of sin. Thankfully, God says they can now be blessed. They will not have things as they were, but they can be blessed nonetheless.

This is the way of sin. It hurts us (death, disease, regrets, sadness, addiction, etc.). It leaves scars (sometimes physical, but always spiritual). God describes sin in terms like “stain” and “disease” for a reason (Isa. 1:6, 18). Please understand we can be forgiven of our sins and have a hope of Heaven one day (II Pet. 3:9; Lk. 19:10), but this does not mean we leave this life unscathed! (Ask King David!) I am reminded of Luke 15 and the account of the prodigal son. He received forgiveness from his father (Lk. 15:22-24). However, after having wasted his substance (Lk. 15:13), he was not getting more inheritance (Lk. 15:31)! He could make the best of his life in his remaining years, and no doubt he had a blessed life (Lk. 15:17), but there were consequences he had to face for the rest of his life.

So it was with that older generation in Ezra 3:12-13. They had blessings now in Israel, but this did not take away from the pain they felt as they remembered what was lost due to sin. Let this be a lesson to us. Sin is not “harmless fun” (Heb. 11:24-26). It is not a joke (Prov. 14:9). Sin destroys! Yes, let us thank God for forgiveness (Mk. 16:16), but remember, the scars of sin continue with us for the rest of our days. Yes, there are times we experience “bittersweet blessings.” We thank God for forgiveness but are still sorry for what we did in the past. Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can leave sin in the past and focus on the future through God’s forgiveness? The older people in Ezra’s day had the same opportunity. No doubt, this is why Haggai was inspired to say what he did (Hag. 2:9). Yes, wrong decisions have been made, but after you are done crying, move forward and be productive in the Lord’s work. Let us all learn that lesson!

-- You are invited to visit the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167