“When… the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem. Then arose Jeshua, with his fellow priests, and Zerubbabel with his kinsmen, and they built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings, as is written in the Law of Moses. They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the peoples of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord, burnt offerings morning and evening… But the foundation of the temple of the Lord was not yet laid. So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus king of Persia.
“In the second year after their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem,.. Zerubbabel and Jeshua made a beginning, together with the rest of their kinsmen, the priests and the Levites and all who had come to Jerusalem from the captivity. They appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to supervise the work of the house of the Lord. And Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together supervised the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Henadad and the Levites, their sons and brothers.
“And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments came forward with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord, according to the directions of David king of Israel. And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord,
“’For he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever 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.” Ezra 3:1-3,6b-11
Exiles returning from Babylonian captivity to Israel had been given a charge by King Cyrus: ‘Go to work, rebuild your temple.’ God stirred their spirits and inspired their contributions. Their ready handling of the task established first the altar, setting the practice of sacrifice and a tempo of joy and praise among all who would participate in the willing and able labor. The completing of the temple foundation evoked great emotion, and they faced persistent opposition and temptation to give up, yet praise and focus on God kept them to the task of rebuilding with vigor and determination. (Ezra 1:1-5; 2:69; 3:12-4:6)
Knowing the God who calls and the specific work He assigns give both structure and freedom to our work. He appoints talents and roles to contribute to His wide kingdom plan. With His providence at the fore, we can delight in doing our part, unconcerned about personal gain. All work performed in answer to God’s call, with His priorities and for His purposes, honors Him and fulfills with joy.
How do we view our work? Are we in it for selfish ends, pursuing notoriety, financial gain, or gratification? Or do we seize it as part of God’s big picture, and exercise diligence and zeal for Him? How does it bring Him glory?
Lord, correct any wrong motives, and help me daily praise and honor You in my work. (Colossians 3:23-24)
As the rain and snow 