Reading 85 • December 8
Today's Scripture
Ezra 3:8–13
In the second year after their arrival at the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jozadak made a beginning, together with the rest of their people, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work on the house of the Lord. And Jeshua with his sons and his kin, and Kadmiel and his sons, Binnui and Hodaviah along with the sons of Henadad, the Levites, their sons and kin, together took charge of the workers in the house of God. When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments were stationed to praise the Lord with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, according to the directions of King David of Israel; and they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people responded with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of families, old people who had seen the first house on its foundations, wept with a loud voice when they saw this house, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted so loudly that the sound was heard far away. (NRSV)
Reflection
When the people of Israel returned from exile, fifty years had passed since the first temple had been destroyed. A whole generation of Israelites had lived without a temple. There had been no center for their identity as God’s chosen ones.
So when the foundation for a new temple was laid, many Israelites shouted with joy and in celebration. Others, however, wept aloud. Why were they crying? It’s likely because they remembered Solomon’s temple in all its glory, and to them, this new foundation appeared very modest by comparison.
A good friend of mine retired not too long ago. When this friend catches up with former colleagues who are still working, it can leave them feeling nostalgic for a time when their days were fuller, their counsel was valued, and their self-worth was better defined. Fresh beginnings can feel fragile, even disappointing. The same was true for some of the Israelites.
But over the next decades, that humble foundation grew into the temple that Jesus himself walked through. The glory of this temple came not from its golden magnificence but from God’s presence. And this is true in our lives as well.
Because when the exiles returned, God didn’t ask them to recreate the past. God asked them to trust God with the future. It didn’t matter how impressive the new temple looked, only that God was in it.
For each of us, there are seasons when things fall. But during this time, God is rebuilding us. When we’re back on our feet again, the question God invites us to ask is not “Does this look like what I used to have?” but rather “Is God in this?”
Prayer
Lord of new beginnings, teach me not to weep over what looks meager. Help me trust in you. Build in my life what you desire for me, and let your presence, rather than my expectations, be the measure of glory. Amen.
Written by Sarah Younger, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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