T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S voice of inspiration had assured them, so in sure anticipation that God would keep His word, the builders encircled their foundations with their songs.— Devo. Com. Praise the Lord. It was a great celebration. They sang together by courses in praising and giving thanks unto the Lord. The spirit of praise took hold upon their hearts. But there were also tears. The tears were occa sioned by the remembrance of the glories of former days which had passed away.—-Gaebelein. v. 11. Because he is good. When the people sang together and awoke the neighborhood praising and giving thanks unto the Lord, what was the burden of their song? “ Because he is good.” That accounts for the thun dering music. Let the Gentiles take up the song and return it in thunderous joy, every man making it a personal song, saying, “ I too must join that triumphant chorus for God is good and His mercy endureth forever.” That is the Gtfd of all ages, all lands, all hosts. -—Parker. v. 12. Ancient men. Though the younger among the people were filled with hope now that the house of the Lord was once more established in their midst, the older, who could rem'ember the earlier temple, destroyed about fifty years before, wept at the contrast to it which was presented by the meanness of the new building and the inadequate resources for its completion (Hag. 2:3; Zech. 4:10).— Dummelow. Who had seen the first honse. This second tem ple would be inferior in size and costli ness and destitute of the ark, the She- kinah, the Urim and the Thummim, and other features which contributed to the glory of the first temple. Read Haggai in this connection-—Gray. Wept with a loud voice. Joy was in His presence and jvas acceptable. Tears confessed the truth and testified a just sense of what God had been for His people and the blessing they had once enjoyed under His hand. Tears recognized, alas, that which the people of God had been for God, and their tears were acceptable to Him. The weeping could not be discerned from the shout of joy. This was a truthful result, natural and sad, yet becoming in the presence of God. He rejoices in the joy of His people and He understands their tears. It was indeed a true expression of the state of things.— Bible Synopsis. Not that this second temple was not a very grand and beautiful structure, but
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prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry; for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.” If the “ joy of the Lord Is our strength” why not “ Rejoice in the Lord always ;and gain I say, Rejoice,” (Phil. 4:4) and have it in our hearts and on our lips to say “ I was glad when they said unto me. Let us go unto the house of the Lord.” (Psa. 122:1) PRACTICAL POINTS (1) Zerubbabel, born in Babylon, was, happily, born again. (2) The Lord’s workmen wear fine clothes (Rev. 3:5) (3) Overseers should see not only that they lay the foundation right, but that they lay the right foundation (1 Cor. 3:11). (4) Shout— if you feel like it, and you ought to feel like it. (5) Don’t weep over the past; thank God for the present. (6) The word of prophecy brings prosperity. (7) Our bodies are God’s only earthly temple now, but we need to dedicate them. (8) “Not all the blood of beasts, on Jewish altars slain; could give the guilty sinner peace, or wipe away a stain.” (9) But “ the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” v. 8. Set forward the work. Their faith must have been tested in the be ginning, for nine months passed before the work began. The leaders were fore most in the work COMMENTS FROM and associated the MANY SOURCES people with them- Keith L. Brooks selves in t h e b l e s s e d enter prise. They were “ laborers together” (1 Cor. 3 :9 ).—Anno. Bible. v. 10. Laid the foundation. Founda tion laying is not always pleasant work. It means toil underground, down in the trenches, unnoticed and unknown. But amid all, the minstrel Hope brought her harp and sang her sweet strains of encouragement. In spite of the few ness and poverty of the builders, the
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