Background:
1. Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel
(Baker) Babylonian-born Jew who returned to Palestine in 538 BC. to serve as governor of Jerusalem under Persian suzerainty. The name presumably means “seed [offspring] of Babylon,” referring to someone born in Babylon... it is clear that Zerubbabel was of Davidic lineage and was viewed by members of the Isrealite community as a viable candidate for leading them back to a position of power...a strong messianic element is undeniably present in the prophetic view of Jeshua and Zerubbabel’s work.
2. Jeshua the son of Jozadak
(Baker) Jeshua, Jozadak’s successor as high priest, returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem after the exile (Ezr 2:2; Neh 7:7; 12:1). Upon arrival, he led his brethren in making the altar of God (Ezr 3:2; 5:2) and eventually headed up a reconstruction program to rebuild the temple (Ezr 3:8). Confirmed as God’s leader by Haggai and Zechariah (Hg 1:1–14; 2:2, 4; Zec 3:1–9; 6:11), Jeshua resolutely resisted attempts by adversaries to infiltrate his people and hinder the work on the temple (Ezr 4:3).
Ob and In:
1. They were careful at their work even in the difficult time: appointed the Levites to take charge of the work v.8, when the builders established the temple, the priests, ceremonially attired and with their clarions, and the Levites with their cymbals, stood to praise the LORD v.10
(BKC) Nothing is mentioned about the actual process of laying the temple foundation or the length of time involved. This is because the focus was on the results of this project on that community of people who had braved the rugged conditions. They were following the command of Cyrus but, more importantly, they were following the command of their God with whom they were in covenant. As the foundation … was laid the people were careful to follow in the traditions of their forefathers who had been rightly related to God under the Mosaic Covenant. As the priests … and the Levites led the dedication service for the temple’s foundations, they did the things that were prescribed by David. The order followed was the same as when David brought the ark to Jerusalem. At that time priests blew trumpets and Asaph sounded cymbals (1 Chron. 16:5–6)
(EBC) Previously the age limit for the Levites was thirty (Num 4:3) or twenty-five years (Num 8:24). It was reduced to twenty (1 Chronicles 23:24, 27; 2 Chronicles 31:17), no doubt because of the scarcity of Levites
Reflection: If I am one of them, coming back to a desolated place with limited resources, I may have just did whatever I can to build. However, the governor and the high priests did not think so. They did their best. They followed what David and Solomon did, who ruled during the richest time in their history. Do I fear and love God like Zerubbabel and Jeshua? To give in the poorest time. To contribute not because what I have, but what I think God deserve.
2. God is good to them and His love is loyal and last forever v.11
(BKC) The word “love” (ḥeseḏ) is God’s covenantal loyal love which exists forever with His people Israel. Now that the temple worship was being reestablished, the people again recognized the commitment of God’s unending covenantal love.
Reflection: God did not give up on Israel because of the covenantal loyal love. After the capture, exile, His love did not end. God allowed them to come back. Do I love other people with this enduring property? Can I love this deep and long?
3. repeated words in v.11-13: loudly, shout v.11, 12x2, 13
the people were shouting so loudly that the sound was heard a long way off v.13b
No matter if they were emotion and weep or they were excited and shout, the people did that loudly.
(EBC) The tears and outcries expressed the deep emotion of the occasion...Whereas the elders were overcome with the memories of the splendors of Solomon’s temple, the younger returnees shouted with great excitement at the prospect of a new temple. The God who had permitted judgment was also the God who had brought them back and would enable them to complete this project
Reflection: When God give me a second chance every day how shall I live it?
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