Weekly Reflection – Restoring, Rebuilding, Renewing, and Rejoicing

They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, “For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.” And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

— Ezra 3:11

King Cyrus allowed the Jewish people to return to their ancient homeland to rebuild their sacred Temple, which was destroyed by the Babylonians. It was a time of restoring the worship of the One True God of Israel as commanded in His law through Moses.

The rebuilding of the Second Temple began as the civic rulers, spiritual leaders, and lay people set out to work together in a unified purpose. The restoration of the altar led to the renewal of the system of worship, the offering of sacrifices, the giving of offerings, and the observance of the feasts. And finally, a great rejoicing took place when the builders laid the foundation of the Temple. The Levites offered songs of praise, thankfully acknowledging God for His goodness (Psalm 119:68) and enduring mercy (James 5:11). The people gave a great celebration shout. However, many returnees, who had seen the First Temple, were sorrowful, for they thought the post-exilic Temple paled when compared to the grandeur of Solomon’s (Haggai 2:3).