In the seventh month we find the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities gathering themselves to Jerusalem “as one man.” Only a work of the Spirit of God could produce such unity and gather them together to the one place to worship the Lord. Furthermore, it was in the seventh month that Israel were to celebrate the feast of trumpets (Numb. 29:11And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. (Numbers 29:1)), which prefigures the restoration of Israel in the last days. It shows how the people and their leaders were taught of God and were under the power of His Word.
“Then stood up Jeshua... and his brethren the priests, Zerubbabel,... and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.” Israel had no altar in Egypt — they must go three days journey into the wilderness to keep a feast unto the Lord. Nor did they have one in Babylon; but soon after they get back to Jerusalem, we find the altar is built and worship is restored. Thus two things which God has joined together, the glory of His name and the blessing of His people, are seen in this returned remnant.
It seems that one of their motives in setting up the altar of the Lord, and offering burnt offerings thereon morning and evening, was on account of their fear of their enemies. This is very impressive for they evidently remembered the promise in the Psalms that God was their refuge and strength (Ps. 46); so in giving Him His true place they could count upon Him for protection.
After this we read they began to prepare to rebuild the temple and in the second year and the second month they laid the foundation. This was celebrated by their singing, praising and giving thanks to the Lord for His goodness and mercy to Israel. However, the ancient men who had seen the first temple wept when they saw the foundation laid; it was so insignificant compared to what they remembered of the first house. But those who had not seen the first house shouted aloud for joy so that one could not discern the noise of the shout from the weeping. But we believe both were acceptable to the Lord because there was reality in each. Because of their failure, the Lord could not restore the glory of the old order of things, but He was ging them a house where they could worship Him.
When the Lord Himself was here there had been great failure again. Having been rejected, He told the people, “Behold your house is left unto you desolate.” But in John 4 He also told the woman of Samaria: “The hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.... But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him.” In this dispensation He dwelleth not in temples made with hands, but “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20). God will honor the faith of those who honor Him in seeking to carry out His Word.
ML 03/15/1959