The foundation laid.
The weeping of these old men was the first check on the enthusiasm of the builders of the temple. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and the prophecies of Zechariah and Haggai, which illustrate them, are a very troubled history: sorrow, disappointment, and indignation again and again break out; but until now there had been no consciousness of hindrances, or the consciousness had been suppressed. The time of preparation, which is pre-eminently the time of hope, was over; the people stood face to face with the work they had undertaken; its difficulties were before them; they felt the poverty of their resources. But though the enthusiasm of the multitude was checked, it was not daunted; the hope of the younger men overbore the depression of the elders; the influence of their sacred festival sustained them; the popular feeling was wiser and more healthy than the despondency of the leaders. The work of preparation had been carried forward with spirit. Not more than a year, probably a good deal less (verse 8), had elapsed since "the chief of the fathers" had come "to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem" (Ezra 2:68), and much work had been accomplished in the organising of labour and the collection of materials for the building (verse 7). Patriotism, wisdom, and piety had been manifested in their plans. The whole remnant of Israel was enlisted in the cause; this was the work, not only of those who had returned, but also of those whom the military leaders of Assyria and Chaldaea had not deemed of sufficient importance to carry away (cf. verse 1 with 2 Kings 24:14; 2 Kings 25:12). The daily sacrifices had been early re-established, that the courage of the people might be sustained by their faith in the God of Israel (verses 3-6). Great carefulness was manifested that all things should be done according to the law; they were scrupulous in their obedience of God (verses 2, 4, and Ezra 2:59, Ezra 2:61, Ezra 2:62). A beautiful simplicity and hope appear in the counsel of "the Tirshatha" (Ezra 2:63), the expectation that the LORD would again reveal his will for their practical guidance. The responsibility of all this action must have been felt by the "ancient men" "of the priests and Levites;" overstrained feeling may have been one reason of theft weeping. Among the causes of their grief, notice these—
I. THE DESPONDENCY WHICH IS NATURAL TO THE AGED. There was a great contrast between Solomon's temple and the ruins which were around them; between the glorious past of Israel and the scattered, demoralised condition of the nation now. But the greatest contrast was between the energies of their own youth and their present inability to rise to the demands of a great occasion. "We receive but what we give." Difficulties are a spur to a young man's courage; the consciousness of power shows itself in the desire to struggle and to overcome.
II. THE PARTIAL AND INSUFFICIENT RESPONSE THAT HAD BEEN MADE TO THE DECREE OF CYRUS. "Forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore" was the number of "the whole congregation" that offered themselves for the return; and of these a large proportion were persons professionally engaged about the temple. "The priests and Levites" mourned that their readiness met with so small a response from the people. Some of the leaders of the nation, noble men hearing noble names, were there; but many also of small account, "a mixed multitude," like a great proportion of our modern emigrants, unable to succeed anywhere and eager for any change (Ezra 2:58-63). The "great middle class" of Israel never returned. They continued "dispersed among the Gentiles." The feelings of the ancient men would probably exaggerate these facts.
III. UNREADINESS TO DENY THEMSELVES FOR THE SAKE OF THE WORK FOR WHICH THEY HAD RETURNED MAY HAVE ALREADY APPEARED IN MANY. Only "some of the chief of the fathers offered freely" (Ezra 2:68; cf. with the phrase "chief of the fathers" in our text). Zechariah (Zechariah 7:1-14.) speaks of the greed which characterised the nation during the captivity; Haggai first, and Malachi long afterwards, indignantly rebuked it in the men of the restoration (Haggai 1:3, Haggai 1:4, Haggai 1:9; Malachi 1:6-10). The great grief of the old men, however natural, would have seriously hindered the work. The want of hope, and the selfishness which made many plead hopelessness as an excuse for abandoning their efforts, were the sins against which Zechariah and Haggai had to testify. The frank impulse which led the multitude to shout for joy was wiser than the weeping. It anticipated the subsequent teaching of Nehemiah under similar circumstances (Nehemiah 8:10), "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
Lessons:—
1. The mingled character of all human work. We begin in enthusiasm and continue in depression. There is the contrast of the actual with the ideal; the sense of accumulating difficulties; the consciousness of failing powers; the perception of imperfection in all human instrumentality. The work remains, though the feeling changes; remains to be done, remains when it is done. "Duty remains, and God abideth ever." "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
2. The advantage of fellowship in labour. Many weep and many shout aloud for joy; and this is well, for each can temper the emotion of, and furnish help to, the other. "'Tis held that sorrow makes us wise;" but happy ignorance is also blessed. Care is good, and so is the occasional outburst of joy that sweeps care away. Blend old and young together; the old with memory which is the nurse of great purposes; the young with the passion to make a future for themselves.
3. The cause that can bind true men in a fellowship of labour. It is the cause of God; the cause in which we can worship together as well as work together. "They sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord;" "all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." A common faith in God and God's call harmonises all diversities of feeling.—M.
Ezra
Ezra 3 - ezra-3 - worlddic.com