Ezra 1-3

“No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping ...” (3:13). After 70 years of exile in Babylon, God was now doing a new thing for the Jews. Back in their own land, carrying sacred treasure (1:9- 11), they were laying the foundation of the new temple in Jerusalem (3:10). But some older people wept, remembering the glory and promise of the first temple (3:12). They still felt the grief of loss, while rejoicing in the beginning of God’s restoration.

“His love toward Israel endures forever” (3:11). God’s love has not finished working. Although now we experience grief and joy, one day our redemption will be complete, when He makes “all things new” (Revelation 21:5)