S) "12 Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, 13 so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away."
Ezra 3:12-13 (NASB)
O) When I first read this, the reason for these old men were weeping was not immediately clear. Reading the same events in Haggai 2, however, it becomes quite clear that they were weeping from sorrow. They were so heartbroken, realizing what was lost in the punishment of their exile. This faithful remnant waited seventy years, I'm sure while they buried many of their friends and family members, all while hoping to see a glorious return to the LORD. On the other hand, this sorrow was contrasted immediately with the overwhelming joy of thousands of people, who had hoped for what they had never seen. They had their hearts on a homecoming to a home where they had never been.
A) Reading about this sorrow, and really imagining this scene unfolding, breaks my heart. In contrast, the idea of a multitude crying out in joy about finally seeing a dream, decades in developing, coming to pass, fills my own heart with joy. This actually reminds me a lot of my own life. There is a duality at work, about the regrets I have that coexist with my hopes. In a very real way, this gap between broken history and healed future is intersected with the cross. Jesus Christ meets me in my deepest regret and He ushers me into a new future and a new hope. Realizing what I have lost, the time, relationships, and opportunities, helps me to value what I now have, even more. Realizing that I am the old man weeping, while I am also the young man cheering, helps me remain humble as I see a more complete picture of what God has done for me.
P) Father, You are so great in Your grace. You found me weeping over what my foolish decisions were costing me. You redeemed me and, reshaped and rewrote my future. Help me to be more aware, and conscious of this cross-section. As I acknowledge my duality in this, help me to still focus more on my future. I know that you are drawing me toward something, and so I want to keep my eye on where You're leading me. Dry my tears from my regrets, and open my mouth so I can shout for joy, at the future You have given me. Be glorified. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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