Days 222 & 223: Ezra 1-6, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

This is the end of the exile of the Israelites. King Cyrus has issued a decree that they be allowed to return. Not only that, but they are to be helped and supported by all their neighbors. Additionally, all the articles from the temple that were taken by Nebuchadnezzar were to be returned to them. According to Ezra all these things happened "...in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah..." (Ezra 1:1).

Finally, after the exiles returned and got settled, work began on the temple. The first thing they did was to build an altar so that they could begin sacrificing and worshiping.

On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, though the foundation of the LORD’s temple had not yet been laid. (Ezra 3:6)

When construction finally began on the temple they held a celebration because the foundation was laid. Not the actual completed building, just the foundation.

When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the LORD, as prescribed by David king of Israel. With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD:
   “He is good;
   his love toward Israel endures forever.”
   And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. (3:10-11)

We're just beginning a "strategic planning" process at WOCC. I suppose you could say that in some ways we are beginning a rebuilding process. The foundation for the future is being laid. I wonder when it would be appropriate to have a celebration. I don't think we celebrate enough. Somehow I think we've gotten the idea that celebration is a bad thing. It seems so self-congratulatory. But the thing is, celebration is not about patting ourselves on the back because of what WE accomplished...it's about acknowledging the fact that God is at work. It's an act of rejoicing over what HE has accomplished...and will accomplish.

It has always struck me as interesting that there were those who looked at the new foundation being built and couldn't find it in themselves to celebrate. These were the older folks who remembered the former temple and saw this new one as inferior.

But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. (Ezra 3:12)

I think any rebuilding process will probably have both types of people. There will be those who look at the new plans and visions for the future and get really excited about what can be. There will also be those who look at the same plans and visions for the future and weep...and mourn...because it's "just not the same." They will be so enamored of the past that they just can't see the possibilities of the future. The sad thing is, if I'm really honest, as I've gotten older I sort of understand. I'm thankful that I am beginning to understand...that can help me deal with the naysayers...but I pray I never get to the point where I'm one of them.