Ezra 3:10-13

Ezra 3:10-13 And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever 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 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; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. The Children of Israel were so excited to rebuild their Temple to God! They had a big dedication day with everyone dressed up in their finest. They had trumpeters and singers along with prayers and sacrifices to God. But there was a problem. The younger people were so glad to see the Temple foundation started. But the older people remembered how glorious the old Temple had been. They were sad that the new Temple was going to have to be so plain. So on the dedication day, some people were excited and shouting for joy while others were weeping aloud in sad remembrance. But the people around Jerusalem only heard a great noise. They couldn’t tell the difference between joy and heartbreak. They only knew that the Jews were celebrating before their God. And they were impressed at the noise! Whether in song or in grief, God was being praised!