Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

Ezra 3 Devotional

Weeping and Shouting Together

“And they sang responsively with praise and thanksgiving to the LORD: “For He is good; for His loving devotion to Israel endures forever.” Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD had been laid.”Ezra 3:11 (BSB)

The first thing the returned exiles build is not a wall or a house but an altar. They set it on its foundation and offer the morning and evening sacrifices, even though they are afraid of the peoples around them (3:3). Before there is any temple, there is worship, carried out as the Law of Moses directs (3:2, 3:4).

When the temple foundation is laid, the priests and Levites sing that the LORD is good and his loving devotion to Israel lasts forever (3:11). Then comes a remarkable sound. Older leaders who had seen the first temple weep aloud, while many others shout for joy, and no one can tell the two apart (3:12-13). Both make sense: grief over what was lost, gladness over what God is doing again. Through Haggai the LORD later promised this house a greater glory than the former one (Haggai 2:9). The song of 3:11 belongs to both groups. You can bring God your tears and your joy in the same breath.

To think about: What are you grieving and what are you thankful for right now, and how might you bring both to God together?

About Ezra 3: Altar Rebuilt and Temple Foundation Laid

The returned exiles rebuild the altar in Jerusalem and resume daily sacrifices despite fear of their neighbors, then keep the Feast of Tabernacles. The temple foundation is laid in their second year back; priests and Levites praise God’s goodness, and elders who knew the first temple weep while others shout for joy.

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