Ver. 15.-Churcli prosperity. I. THEnE WAS A CHANGE OF MOOD IN THOSE wno BAD SOUGHT TO HINDEn THE WORK. Tatnai, who had sought to hinder the building of the temple, now by the royal command does all he can to promote it. The world sometimes changes its mood toward the Church ; often from motives of policy or fear; seldom from good will. Civil governors can greatly aid religious buil<lern. When enemies help the Church prospers. JI. THERE WAS A FAITHFUL MINISTRY EXERCISED IN THE MIDST OF THE PEOPLE. "They prospered through the prophesying of Haggai" (ver. 14). The ministry has much to do with the prosperity of a Church ; men like Haggai and Zechariah cannot fail to inspire their comrades with their own earnest spirit. A faithful pastor will often make a Church prosperous. III. THERE WAS THE COMPLETION OF AN ARDUOUS UNDERTAKING. "And this house was finished " (ver. 15). A great enterprise, which had passed through so many vicissitudes, was now successfully ended. By the completion of its toils the Church indicates its energy, provides for its own welfare, and glorifies God.-E. Ver. 15. - Churcli building. I. THAT GoD REQUIRES A HOUSE ESPECIALLY ERECTED FOR HIS WORSHIP. "This house." 1. As a dwelling on the earth. God's presence pervades the universe; there is no place where it is not. The heaven of heavens cannot contain him, much less the house which we have built; yet in great condescension he manifests a richer presence in his holy sanctuary than in all the world outside. The Shechinah dwells in the temple. God's dwelling-place is in Zion. Christ is in the midst of his gathered people (Matt. xviii. 20). 2. As a testimony for the truth. The temple was a testimony to the heathen nations and to all people of the worship and sacrifice due from the Israelites to Jehovah. Our Christian churches testify to our belief in the great God, and to all those sacred truths which he has revealed in his book. 3. As the evidence of a religious feeling. While others are only building houses for themselves ; we build also for God ; we sacrifice the comfort of our ceiled houses and of our gains so to do. Our churches are evidence of the unselfish and devout sentiments of the human heart. 4. As the means of social philanthropy. We love the nation, and seek its moral welfare, hence we build it a sanctuary. II. THAT THERE ARE A GREAT MANY IMPEDIMENTS IN TIIE WAY OF DUILDING CHURCHES. The Israelites had many hindrances in their work. 1. The lack of a good heart for the work. 2. The lack of generous gifts for the work. 3. The lack of suitable men to lead the work. 4. The lack of sympathy in men for the moral welfare of God's cause. 5. The lack of mutual concession to opposing ideas. 6. The lack of right help from the outside circles of society. Christian enthusiasm, generosity, sympathy, good feeling, are the requisites of successful church building. III. THAT THE COMPLETION OF A NEW CHURCH IS WORTHY OF SPECIAL GRATITUDE. The Israelites would indeed be grateful to see their finished temple. 1. Grateful for the kind providence that had aided them. 2. Grateful for the valiant leaders that had inspired them. 3. Grateful for the persistent spirit of work which had been given them. 4. Grateful that their arduous toils were at an end. 5. Grateful that the glorious worship of God could now be fully celebrated. 6. Grateful that they had a new impulse given to their national life.-E.
Vers. 16-18.-The dedication of the temple.-As the temple was a type of the Church of God, and the stones of which it was composed represented individual believers, so the completing of the building foreshadowed that grand consummation in which the number of the elect shall be complete. The consequent de~ication of the finished edifice will therefore represent the future devotion to the service of God :if his glorified Church. By anticipation it also describes the service which believers should now render to God, since each part should be a true sample of the whole. In this view how fittingly was the dedication of the temple an occasion of joy (ver. 16) I 96 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [en. vr. 13-22.