Joy and Weeping

July 29

Ezra 3-4

Psalm 86:1-4

Proverbs 19:8-9

I Corinthians 7:17-40

Joy and Weeping

“And they sang, praising and giving thanks to Yahweh, saying, ‘For He is good, for His lovingkindness endures forever upon Israel.’  And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised Yahweh because the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid.  Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of the father’s households, the old men who had seen the first house of Yahweh, were weeping with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many in loud shouts with gladness were raising their voice, so that the people could not distinguish the voices of shouting of gladness from the voices of the weeping of the people, for the people were shouting with a loud shout, and those voices were heard far away.” 

Ezra 3:11-13  LSB

The different reactions to the rebuilding of the temple is important to note.  The younger people shouted for joy.  Those who had not seen the first temple  were focused on the hope of the future and the rebuilding of the temple so that they could have a fresh start.  They had spent their whole lives in captivity.  They had no doubt heard stories about Jerusalem and the temple, but they did not have personal memories about Israel’s time in their own land.  The older people had personally witnessed the beauty and splendor of Solomon’s temple.  They had worshipped there and were mourning the loss of the past.  They were probably remembering all they had suffered and endured over their 70 years in captivity.  Their weeping was not because they did not want to rebuild the temple, but rather a lamenting of all that had been lost.  They recognized that their sin and unfaithfulness had resulted in their captivity and the destruction of their precious temple as well as the city of Jerusalem. 

This passage underscores the reality of the human experience.  We can have both joy and sorrow in the same season.  It is difficult to understand how we can possibly have joy, peace, and goodness during seasons of sadness, grief and mourning.  I remember when my Daddy died, I had a new baby who brought me immense joy, but I almost felt guilty for laughing and being happy.  I had to remind myself that Daddy would want me to be happy and enjoy this new season with Hannah.  We can experience the blessings of God and recognize the realities of the world we live in and the difficulties in our own lives.  Actually, I believe that God gives us moments of immense joy during the difficult times to help us through those hard days.  There is healing and rejuvenation in laughter.  It is good for the soul.  Whenever I am at a funeral home visiting with a grieving family, I am always happy when I hear laughter.  That may seem strange, but I love to hear people recounting sweet memories they have of their loved one.  We can experience the full range of emotions without reservation.  Laughing and rejoicing over blessings doesn’t mean that we are ignoring the other difficulties we are experiencing.