Ezra 3:10-13

Ezra 3:10-13

[10] 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.  [11] 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,  of the house  of the LORD  was laid.  [12] But many  of the priests  and Levites  and chief  of the fathers,  who were ancient men,  that had seen  the first  house,  was laid  before their eyes,  wept  with a loud  voice;  and many  shouted  aloud  for joy:  [13] So that the people  could not discern  the noise  of the shout  of joy  from the noise  of the weeping  of the people:  shouted  with a loud  shout,  and the noise  was heard  afar off. 

What does Ezra 3:10-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The people celebrated God"s faithfulness when they had completed phase one of the temple reconstruction: its foundation.
"Principles of praise to be gleaned from these verses include the following: (1) Praise is the act of publicly exalting God"s person and work. (2) Praise can be enhanced through the use of music and songs. (3) Praise is a participating activity, not a spectator sport; it is worship people join in, not a program people watch. Praise involves God"s people in singing and playing, boasting and testifying to the greatness and goodness of the Lord!" [1]
Compared with the "first temple" ( Ezra 3:12), this second temple was much less impressive. The term "second temple," as biblical scholars commonly use it today, refers to both this restoration temple and the Herodian temple that followed it. The second temple underwent changes occasionally, the major changes taking place as a result of Herod"s renovations. These improvements were still in progress in our Lord"s day ( John 2:20). This second temple stood from515 B.C. ( Ezra 6:15) until the Romans destroyed it in A.D70. [2]