Ezra 3:12-13 Rebuilding the Temple
(Ezra 3:12-13 ESV) But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
Written March 4, 2026 for the Joy in Spite of Stoopidty study
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Please pray with me. Father God, thanks so much for treasured memories, even if they make me cry, and for hopeful promises that I long to see. Amen.
The King James Version of the concordance has 93 references in 89 verses to this certain word for "joy" as reference H8057. שִׂמְחָה is pronounced simchâh (sim-khaw) an relates to a religious or festival blithesomeness (cheerful disposition) or glee, which is fitting for this scene. H8057 is also translated in other Bible verses as exceeding(ly), gladness, joy(fulness), mirth, pleasure, rejoice(ing).
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Not all the people were aware
how beautiful the old one had been
though the old knew and remembered
The people of Isreal had returned
to Jerusalem
The temple to be rebuilt
Workers organized; Levites supervised
the foundation was laid
I can relate
My new garden bed shape was
just laid in stone
It's the first step forward
As I gaze upon it, my heart leaps
I can now visualize what it will be!
It is not just in my head
and my heart anymore
My imagination is finally
coming together
Inspiration meets reality
Possible turns into promising
Momentum is about to
kick in gear
Believe it! The stones
were just laid yesterday
and today I sit to write
about the foundation
just laid of the temple
and God winks at me
It is not coincidence
He has given me the feeling
to put down into words
He is good!
Joy is good!
I can relate to
the old people's memories too
I am that sentimental
and sappy soul
I love old things
and the memories they bring
to pause and be lost in the past
reminiscing the treasured
my heart wanting to stay
for a little longer
in the recall
to savor it
Joy begins to wrap itself
around grief
What once was is
impossible to keep
What once shaped
a part of who I am
is lost forever
The longing for
the way it used to be
wells up
in my eyes
The people sang
at the sight of the foundation,
"For He is good,
for His steadfast love
endures forever toward Israel."
King David told them to
praise God
and goodness they did!
And the sentimental
and sappy souls
wept with a loud voice
The new was never going
to replace the glory of the old
Feelings collided
the sound of Joy
and the sound of grief
made together one sound
of noise
That could be heard far away
Mixed Joy maybe
reminiscing Joy
meets promising Joy
Just like Jesus
People wept when He died
reminiscent of Joyful time together
yet He will come again
that promising Joy
Tearful remembering meets hope
Sometimes Joy and sadness
are side by side in the heart
Thank You God for the memories
I miss what used to be
Thank You God for the promises
I long for what will soon be