Jump Start # 1805

Haggai 2:3 “Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Does it not seem to you like nothing in comparison?”

There is a necessary background to our verse today. The first temple, built by David’s son, King Solomon, was a golden splendor. Large. Beautiful. Expensive. Magnificent. It stood for a long time and served the people of Judah. The heart of Judah turned to idols. God warned them. Prophet after prophet pleaded with the people to turn back to God. Finally, the Lord had enough. He allowed Babylon to sweep into Jerusalem and carry the people into captivity. The result was crushing. The walls around the city were destroyed. The king’s palace and the Temple were destroyed. The articles used in the Temple, including the ark of the covenant, were carried away to Babylon. People died. The city lay in ruins for a generation, 70 years. Then, just as God promised, His people returned. There were a series of returns. The foundation of the Temple was built and then the work stopped. The people built houses and left the Temple in ruins. It took the leadership and voice of prophets to get the Temple project completed.

Our verse is found in this setting. The foundation of the Temple was set. It was not going to be as large as Solomon’s. There remained some old people, who remembered the first temple. It’s been 70 years since they saw it, so these people are 75, 80, 90 years old. But they remember. What they see before them is smaller. It’s not going to be the same. In Ezra’s account of this, the Levites and these old men who see what the new Temple will be like, they cry. They weep loudly. Others are cheering because the Temple is being built. The mixture of crying and cheering blended together and was heard far away.

There are some lessons for us in all of this.

Even today, folks can weep about how things are not the way they used to be. I’ve talked with old preachers and have heard the stories of baptizing dozens after one sermon. Generations before that, preachers were known for how many they baptized in their career. Some baptized 10,000. I heard of one who baptized nearly 15,000 in his preaching career. Gospel Meetings, as they were called, lasted two weeks long. My, those were the good ole’ days folks say. Many remember. They cry today because we’ve shortened up the meetings. We are not baptizing as many. Things are just not the same any more.

As life ticks on, things change. In Ezra’s days, Judah wasn’t the powerhouse that it was when Solomon was the king. David had made Judah powerful. Tribute money flowed in from other nations. The kingdom was wealthy. Gold was common and in abundance. Things were different in Ezra’s time. They didn’t have that kind of money. They had just left captivity from Babylon. They were just now a free people. Money, especially gold, was something that they didn’t have. So, Temple number two, was not going to be as large nor as nice as the first. Yet, it would serve God. The Lord reminded the people that His Spirit was abiding in their midst. The Lord was with them.

Times change. The Gospel message never does. Maybe things aren’t the way that they once were, but we can make the most of what we have today. Today, more people are reached through technology than ever could before. Because of websites, live-streaming and recorded sermons, one lesson can live on for decades. That could never happen in the past. Today, because of Twitter and Facebook, people who may never walk into the church building can read, watch and learn things about the Gospel.

We can stand with the old timers and cry because things are not as they once were, or we can rejoice that things are being done to the glory of God. I choose to stand with those that rejoice. There is no going back. Lifestyles, busy schedules and too many choices today make long, every night meetings impractical. Cry about it, or do something about it. Find other ways. Work with what you have. Make the most of what you have.

Sometimes old timers forget that the “good ole’ days,” were harsh. It took a long time to do things. Years from now, those of us that live long enough, will look back upon these days as the “good ole days.” We may be the ones who are weeping when we see things done differently. As long as folks follow the Bible, the methods will change with each generation. We need not to stand in the way of those who are trying their best to do what God says in their generation. I’m seeing fewer and fewer people carrying an actual Bible to services these days. They have the Bible on their phones and tablets. They are using it that way. Is this something to cry about or realize that these folks can do the same and more with their electronic devises.

Don’t be so stuck in your thoughts that you think the way you did things is always the best way. As long as it follows the Bible, new ideas, new technology, new methods, may actually be better. Don’t stand around crying and complaining that things are not like they used to be. Rejoice that the Temple was built and worship God as He wants you to.

Lessons for all of us. I hope, as I get older, that I do not move from the those who rejoice to those who cry. Let all things be done to the glory of God.

Roger