Perspectives

And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, "For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel." And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 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.
Ezra 3:10-13 (ESV)
 
Here we see the heart of the people. A temple reminds them that God desires to be among them. When we are reminded of God's love and His desire to be with us, how do we respond? What do we have in our lives that reminds us of God's love and presence, and motivates us to worship?
 
The temple is a place for prayer, praise, consecration, fellowship, and teaching. The temple gave the people a place that represented the presence of God and the purpose He has given mankind.
 
The generations responded together yet differently to this foundation. I wonder why. Perhaps memories of where we have been compared to where we are today evoke tears of sorrow mixed with joy, while unadulterated hope for the future elicits tremendous joy.
 
Perspective is not good or bad. It just is. God has no perspective, for He always sees things correctly. I wonder what His response to this was.
 


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