Vere. 7-13.-The founding of the temple. 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 WIUI required (see ver. 7)? (1) Here we read of II masons." These suggest the quarrying and cutting of stones, and thei1 transportation to the site (comp. 1 Kings vi. 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 vi. 5-10). Other preparations suggested by these hints. 2. How did they meet the demand 7 (1) Indirectly, by the gifts aml 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 encouruged 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 vi. 11 ; 2 Chron. ix. 10). Also workmen of their own nation (comp. 1 Kings vi. 13-15). How anticipative of the wide spirit of the gospel that Jews and Gentiles should be jointly concerned in this typical work I (3) Do not these efforts shame those of Christian congregations? Here were under 50,000 persons, all told (see ii. 64, 65), equal to about fifty out of the many thousands of our Christian congregations, undertaking this great work I What are we, each individual, doing towards the building of the spiritual temple? II. THE STONE-LAYING. The arrangements were-I. The appointment of officers for_ tile building (vers. 8, 9). (1) Zerubbabel had supreme command (see Zech. iv.). Tl11s he had as of the seed royal, and representing David and Solomon. (2) Jeshua th_e 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," &c. (vers. 8, 9). There should be order in everything connected with the ~ork of God. 2. The presence of all things essential to tile ceremony. (1) The stone itself was there. This was a type of Christ, the Foundation of the living temple (Ree Ps. cxviii. 22, 23; comp. with Matt. xxi. 42--44; Eph. ii. 20-22; Isa. xxviii. 16; viii. 14; comp. with 1 Pet. ii. 6-8). (2) Zerubbabel was there to lay the Bt?ne. In this he, too, typified Christ (see Zech. iv. 6-10). This language has un- mistakable reference to the triumphs of the Messiah. (3) Jeshua the son of Jozadak was there to witness it (see Zech. iii. 9). In this he, too, was a type of Christ, our gr~at Hig-h Priest (see Zech. iii., and vi. 9-15). Essentials in religion are tho~e thmgs which concern Christ. These should be held ae fundamentals. 3. 1'/te pro- 42 TRE BOOK OF EZRA. [mr. m. 8-13.
tn~•ion for th~. c~lebrat1',on of praue. (1) There were the trumpeters. These were the pnests, d1stmguished b)' their apparel (see Num. x. 8, 10). (2) The Levites, sons of Asaph, struck the cymbals. 1his was" after the ordinance of David" (see 1 Chron. xvi. 4--6). The Levites also led the singing. This was responsive. The bu~den "'as " Praise and thanksgiving· be unto the Lord ; " the response, " Because ~e 1s g:oo~, and his mercy endureth for ever towards Israel." The leaders of praise m Chnstian congregations should be godly persons. lll. THE EFFECT OF THE PROCEEDINGS. This was various. 1. There was the ~motion of the people. ( 1) Excitement was so strong that it vented itself in shout- ing. (2) Ours should be mtense as we realise the glorious things foreshadowed. 2. There was the emotion of the ancients. (1) While "all" shouted "because the found~tion of t!ie ho~s~ of the Lord was la:d," )'.et on the part of many the shouting was mingled with wa1hng. 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 1t 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 sou~ (1) Those "afar off" were the Gentiles (see 2 Kings xxvii. 6). (2) The nations of the world should be made to hear the sounds of Christian exultation.- J. A. M.