”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.
Ezra 3:11New International Version (NIV)
Ezra 3:11 Devotional
They sang to the Lord
Ezra 3:11, themed “they sang to the Lord“, reveals that the people of Judah celebrated the finishing of the laying of the foundation of the Temple. It was a day of great celebration for them especially because this came after they had rebuilt the altar and established a regular pattern of sacrifices.
Return to Jerusalem
Moreover, when the Judahites returned to Jerusalem, after being away for 70 years (in exile), they raised funds to rebuild the Temple. Therefore, God sent Ezra to Jerusalem fifty years after the Temple was completed (rebuilt). God sent him to reestablish legitimate worship.
Therefore, Ezra chapter 3 is a record of the rebuilding of the Temple’s foundation exactly 70 years after being exiled – this matched Jeremiah’s prophecy, and was aided by Daniel’s prayers.
Additionally, although the altar and sacrifices had been restored, verse 6 tells us that the foundation of the temple had not been laid. Then verse 10 finally records the celebration that followed the laying of the Temple’s foundation.
Ezra’s process
Consequently, Ezra first led them in the confession of their sins. Thereafter, he read them the Scriptures. Then the people wept bitterly over their sins (rebellion)when they were confronted with God’s Word. And they wept until Ezra encouraged them to have joy.
The problem of sin
Therefore, the sin (rebellion) of Judah made them lose the Temple. God made them exiled by king Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, which was the greatest kingdom at the time.
The solution of God
But because of God’s enduring love, they got the Temple back. He brought them back from exile.
Therefore, God sent Cyrus the Great to conquer Babylon. And after conquering Babylon, Cyrus allowed the Judahites to return home.
Moreover, Cyrus even allowed them to take with them the beautiful Temple furnishings that had been stolen by Nebuchadnezzar. Therefore, God completely restored them.
They praised God
Consequently, they sang and shouted about the faithfulness and goodness, and the steadfast love of God toward them. They were specifically joyed that God had restored them. The finished foundation gave them hope that the Temple would be finished.
Moreover, it is important to appreciate that foundations represent a larger work. And that’s why the finished foundation gave them hope and certainty which made them praise and thank God.
New Beginning
Therefore, it was also a new beginning for them, even a revival. Remember, God had already initiated several new beginnings for them earlier on. The most notable was when He rescued His people from Egypt.
Don’t forget to thank God when He restores you
It is therefore important that you don’t forget to thank God for restoring you or doing something (new) in your life. God is always doing something new, for He is a God of new things. And finishing a foundation for something is a sign of the bigger thing to come.
Even if it’s partial restoration (read foundation), giving thanks to God need not be tied to the magnitude of what He has done in your life. You need to be thankful for everything that God does for you.
Therefore, if you are looking forward to restoration, or seeing the signs of it happening soon, of course, vide a foundation, then prepare to thank God for the same. He is faithful, good, and loving. He will restore what needs to be restored in your life.
Prayer/Blessing
May you, despite your situation, sing to God as you trust Him to restore you. And if He has restored you, sing to Him the more. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Exodus 26-28 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
