Ezra 3:13

So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people.

The two sounds were so mingled that they could not be distinguished from each other, but "the people shouted with. loud shout," and in this the sound of the wailing was absorbed. Haggai 2:3 and Zechariah 4:10, both prophets of this period, refer to this lamentation of the ancients. The former comforted the old men with the assurance that the glory of the second temple should be greater than that of the first, because the Desire of All Nations should come and his glory should fill the house, an assurance that it should be entered by Christ.

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

1. The promises of the Lord are sure. In his own set time he will fulfill his word. Though his church may long mourn in captivity, the day of redemption will finally come.

2. God is greater than kings. They are made instruments to fulfill his will. He raised up Nebuchadnezzar to scourge Israel for its sins; he raised up Cyrus to restore the chastened and purified people to their own land.

3. "The Father chastens every son that he loveth." God's people are often smitten to wean them away from sin. Tribulation, captivity, exile, made the children of Israel turn from idols to Jehovah. So still sorrow is. purifier. "No chastisement for the present is joyous but grievous, but, nevertheless, afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby."

4. God called his people out of Babylon to return to Jerusalem. The church, also, was carried away into the captivity of mystical Babylon; the city of spiritual confusion; the Babel where there are many voices; the jargon of sectarianism. The Lord calls upon them to return to Jerusalem. He commands: "Come out of her, my people." Let all who bear his voice go back to Jerusalem.

5. When the Jews returned, they first built the altar of God, before even building shelters for themselves. They placed first the kingdom of God and his commandments. So will all true worshipers. How can those who claim to be Christ's seek first their own comfort, build them houses, buy lands, secure fine raiment, while the altar and house of the Lord are neglected!

6. Even when calamities seem to come the mercy of the Lord is still over his people. It endures forever and is shining like the sun above the clouds.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind. frowning providence, He hides. smiling face. 7. It is. glorious work to build God's temple. Christ has called all his people to be builders. Everyone who loves him should build in the living stones, the children, the young and the old. As it is builded "all the people" can give. great shout of joy. Even the angels rejoice when one sinner repenteth.

8. Christ has bequeathed to us the work of building his spiritual temple. Eudamidas,. citizen of Corinth, died in poverty; but, having two wealthy friends, Arctæus and Charixenus, he made. will in which he bequeathed his family to them, to be taken care of as their own. And the two friends accepted the legacy. So Christ has bequeathed to his people the upbuilding of the church until it shall fill the earth. Let us accept the bequest.