There’s lots of building going on in my city these days. High rises and homes springing up everywhere.
In Ezra 3 it is interesting to observe what is noted as the people of Israel are rebuilding the temple after Nebuchadnezzar after the Babylonians destroyed it.
A – In verse 3 it says “despite their fear of the people around them they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offering on it to the Lord”.
B – Then in verses 4- it describes their worship: “they celebrated the feast of tabernacles”, “presented burnt offerings”, they gave “free will offerings” , then: “they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid”.
C – Then in verse 7: “they gave money to the masons and carpenters, and gave food and drink and oil” so that the people of Sidon and Tyre would bring: “cedar logs” by the sea.
D – Then in the second year the work began, but only after certain people came back who could supervise the work had returned from captivity.
E – Then when the foundation was laid they celebrated with trumpets, cymbals, and singing and shouting praises. But in verse 12 it says many of the older priests wept because they had seen the former temple. But together: “no one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping because the people made so much noise.”
This sequence it is a like a sequential picture model of how we should build the current temple – the Lord’s Kingdom, his family, his church. We should (A) start despite our fears of others around us and our own insecurities. (B) We should begin with worship and focusing on God our Father and Provider. (C) We should provide resources for skilled people and develop and invest in our own skills for what we are called to do. (D) Then when ready we should begin the work. (E) And along the way (remember this was only the foundation and altar) we should vigorously celebrate and worship when steps are completed. And we should be free to do this in our own way from our own perspective., weather weeping or singing for joy.
So as we Believers are in the business of rebuilding what the Enemy has destroyed let’s not fear, let’s support God’s work and plan well and be prepared and worship continually as we build God’s temple, His Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven!
Barnabas Man 