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sons of Asaph, “sang together by course in praising and giving thanks
unto the Lord; because He is good, for His mercy endureth forever
toward Israel.”
Verse 11
.
The house that was about to be rebuilt had been the subject of
many prophecies concerning the favor that God desired to show Zion,
and all who were present at the laying of the cornerstone should have
entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. Yet mingled with the
music and the shouts of praise that were heard on that glad day, was
a discordant note. “Many of the priests and Levites and chief of the
fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the
foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud
voice.”
Verse 12
.
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It was natural that sadness should fill the hearts of these aged men,
as they thought of the results of long-continued impenitence. Had
they and their generation obeyed God, and carried out His purpose for
Israel, the temple built by Solomon would not have been destroyed
and the captivity would not have been necessary. But because of
ingratitude and disloyalty they had been scattered among the heathen.
Conditions were now changed. In tender mercy the Lord had
again visited His people and allowed them to return to their own land.
Sadness because of the mistakes of the past should have given way
to feelings of great joy. God had moved upon the heart of Cyrus to
aid them in rebuilding the temple, and this should have called forth
expressions of profound gratitude. But some failed of discerning God’s
opening providences. Instead of rejoicing, they cherished thoughts of
discontent and discouragement. They had seen the glory of Solomon’s
temple, and they lamented because of the inferiority of the building
now to be erected.
The murmuring and complaining, and the unfavorable comparisons
made, had a depressing influence on the minds of many and weakened
the hands of the builders. The workmen were led to question whether
they should proceed with the erection of a building that at the beginning
was so freely criticized and was the cause of so much lamentation.
There were many in the congregation, however, whose larger faith
and broader vision did not lead them to view this lesser glory with
such dissatisfaction. “Many shouted aloud for joy: so that the people
could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the
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