Journal Through the Bible: Week 98 Wednesday

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Ezra 2:64-3:13

The people who returned gave of their prosperity for the work on the temple.They came together in the seventh month to offer burnt offerings upon the altar as commanded in the law of Moses. Then in the second year the actual building on the temple began. The priests and Levites led in singing praise psalms of David once the foundation was laid. But while some of the people and priests shouted others who were old enough to remember the appearance of Solomon's temple wept openly.

Does God issue any commands?

• None is given specifically, but we are told that the people kept the prior commands of God when they observed the Feast of the Tabernacles and continually offered burnt offerings. This was done even though the foundation of the temple was not yet laid.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The foundation of the temple that was laid is symbolic of Jesus, the foundation and Chief Cornerstone of the Lord's church.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• There will be a future temple built in Jerusalem. One can only imagine the shouting and weeping that will result at its building!