A Remnant’s Restoration
One Year Bible (Aug. 6)
Ezra 3:1-4:23
A Remnant’s Restoration
I recently read a news article talking about a “Deadly Sinkhole” and predicting the danger of more to come in the state of Florida. All I can say after reading this article is that I am not looking at “relocating” to that state anytime soon!
This article told of a man that was in his bedroom in a one-story home. It was about 11 pm at night, and while he was “yawning” a 20-foot-wide-sinkhole “yawned” directly underneath him! His bed, the rest of his bedroom furniture, and the man were “sucked down into the hole”!
I promptly looked up the definition of “Sinkhole” and found that it is a cavity in the ground, especially in limestone bedrock, caused by water erosion. Then, I got out my journal and promptly added the word “SINK-HOLE” to my new improved list of phobias…
As I was reading about the Remnant of Judah building a FOUNDATION for the Temple, I was reminded of the original temple built by Solomon. It appeared in Jerusalem with all of its brilliant, opulent glory. Although the people were warned of the dangers of seeking “False Cisterns” rather than seeking “The Living Water”, they sought the false and embraced it.
Before they knew what happened, they had a gigantic
“Spiritual Sink-hole”!
They had been warned of the gigantic cracks of their “False Spiritual Water System” lurking below all of that beauty, but they had not heeded the warning.
No glory or riches filling the temple can substitute for a solid foundation built on the LIVING WATER! There could be no empty cavities lurking below. This was the lesson of their EXILE.
To come HOME and REBUILD, would mean to COME HOME TO GOD ALONE!
When the builders completed the foundation of the LORD’s Temple, the priests blew the trumpets and joined in worship with the clashing of cymbals. With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the Lord, “He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!”
“Then ALL the people gave a great shout, praising the LORD because the FOUNDATION of the LORD’s Temple had been laid.” (Ezra 3:11)
The Lord had reached down HIS hand and rescued them from “The SINKHOLE” of their own doing, and had brought them home to rebuild on the “SOLID ROCK” of HIS DOING!
What was the reaction to this new FOUNDATION?
Many of the older priests WEPT ALOUD while others were “SHOUTING OUT LOUD”. (3:12)
This passage of scripture parallels the prophet Haggai’s writings as Haggai 2:3-10 tells us more of the story. Haggai’s prophecy begins with the Lord asking the returning remnant three questions, 1) Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? 2) How do you see it now? 3) Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?
Those that were weeping were now very old but remembered Solomon’s temple which was much grander and glorious before its destruction.
The prophet Haggai provides hope despite their distress to the weeping elders. He tells them an astonishing truth that they can not yet begin to fathom or understand, “The LORD of hosts declares that the latter glory of his house will be GREATER THAN THE FORMER, and in this place, I will give PEACE.” (Haggai 2:9)
Like our story about the sinkhole that came without warning in the night, the builders of the Temple are about to encounter just that! On the surface, everything can look grand, but below the surface is another story altogether.
The builders of the Temple got an offer that just seemed “too good to be true”, “The ENEMIES of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the LORD, the God of Israel. So, they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, ‘Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do’.” ’.” (4:1-2)
See… I told you this offer was just “too good to be true”. Their ENEMIES want to help them and claim to “worship your God just as you do.” Their reply, “NO, NOT GOING TO DO THAT!”
Then, let’s not forget their “friends”, the local residents. They tried to discourage and frighten the people of Judah to keep them from their work. They also “bribed agents to work against them and to frustrate their plans.” (4:4-5)
This time around, the Temple will not be built on “A Sinkhole of Sin”. It is built on the prophecy of A Remnant’s Restoration through “A GREATER GlORY”… His name will be The Prince of Peace.
“The LORD of hosts declares that the latter glory of his house will be GREATER THAN THE FORMER, and in this place, I will give PEACE.” (Haggai 2:9)
“I will build my life upon your love it is a firm foundation. I will put my trust in YOU alone and I will not be shaken…”
(Build My Life by Pat Barrett/Chris Tomlin)
