Ezra 3:7-13 They gave money also to the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, to them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre… The worship of Israel during the first year of the restoration from Babylon was such as could be conducted around an altar in the open. The people naturally felt how imperfectly they could fulfil the law of Moses without a temple, with its courts, its veil, and its sacred furniture. They did not let discouragement paralyse them, but taxed their energies and resources. These words bring under our notice I. THE PREPARATORY WORK. 1. What was required (see ver. 7)? (1) Here we read of "masons." These suggest the quarrying and cutting of stones, and their transportation to the site (comp. 1 Kings 6:16-18). (2) "Cedars of Lebanon" are mentioned. These suggest also other kinds of timber. The trees had to be felled, transferred to Tyre or Zidon, thence floated to Joppa, and conveyed across the country to Jerusalem (comp. 1 Kings 6:5-10). Other preparations suggested by these hints. 2. How did they meet the demand? (1) Indirectly, by the gifts and sacrifices offered in connection with their worship at the altar. These were required for the support of that worship. But the' spirit of the worship thus encouraged animated them to further efforts. So it operates still under the gospel. (2) Directly, in their additional subscriptions of cash and kind (ver. 7). These gifts rewarded the workmen of Tyre and Zidon (comp. 1 Kings 6:11; 2 Chronicles 9:10). Also workmen of their own nation (comp. 1 Kings 6:13-15). How anticipative of the wide spirit of the gospel that Jews and Gentiles should be jointly concerned in this typical work! (3) Do not these efforts shame those of Christian congregations? Here were under 50,000 persons, all told (see Ezra 2:64, 65), equal to about fifty out of the many thousands of our Christian congregations, undertaking this great work! What are we, each individual, doing towards the building of the spiritual temple? II. THE STONE-LAYING. The arrangements were - 1. The appointment of officers for the building (vers. 8, 9). (1) Zerubbabel had supreme command (see Zechariah 4.). This he had as of the seed royal, and representing David and Solomon. (2) Jeshua the son of Josadak, as high priest, was associated with Zerubbabel. (3) The priests of the courses were his seconds in command - captains of the hosts of workmen. (4) The Levites were made foremen over the workmen. "And appointed the Levites," etc. (vers. 8, 9). There should be order in everything connected with the work of God. 2. The presence of all things essential to the ceremony. (1) The stone itself was there. This was a type of Christ, the Foundation of the living temple (see Psalm 118:22, 23; comp. with Matthew 21:42-44; Ephesians 2:20-22; Isaiah 28:16; Isaiah 8:14; comp. with 1 Peter 2:6-8). (2) Zerubbabel was there to lay the stone. In this he, too, typified Christ (see Zechariah 4:6-10). This language has unmistakable reference to the triumphs of the Messiah. (3) Jeshua the son of Jozadak was there to witness it (see Zechariah 3:9). In this he, too, was a type of Christ, our great High Priest (see Zechariah 3., and Zechariah 6:9-15). Essentials in religion are those things which concern Christ. These should be held as fundamentals. 3. The provision for the celebration of praise. (1) There were the trumpeters. These were the priests, distinguished by their apparel {see Numbers 10:8, 10). (2) The Levites, sons of Asaph, struck the cymbals. This was "after the ordinance of David" (see 1 Chronicles 16:4 6). The Levites also led the singing. This was responsive. The burden was "Praise and thanksgiving be unto the Lord;" the response, "Because he is good, and his mercy endureth for ever towards Israel." The leaders of praise in Christian congregations should be godly persons. III. THE EFFECT OF THE PROCEEDINGS. This was various. 1. There was the emotion of the people. (1) Excitement was so strong that it vented itself in shouting. (2) Ours should be intense as we realise the glorious things foreshadowed. 2. There was the emotion of the ancients. (1) While "all" shouted "because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid," yet on the part of many the shouting was mingled with wailing. These were the ancients who looked on the ruins of the temple of Solomon, which they remembered in its splendour. They saw a mere handful of people, the relics of a great nation as they remembered it. They looked upon their chief magistrate, a dependent upon the Persian king, in contrast with what they remembered of the earlier representatives of David and Solomon. (2) The passion of the weepers was such that it rivalled that of the exulters. No interests are so vital as those of religion. None should move us so deeply. 3. The outsiders heard the sound. (1) Those "afar off "were the Gentiles (see 2 Kings 27:6). (2) The nations of the world should be made to hear the sounds of Christian exultation. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. |
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