ARE YOU SHOUTING OR SOBBING?
Ezra 3:8-13


In Daniel, we read in part of the captivity of Jerusalem. In Ezra we read in part of the return to Jerusalem. 
Here in Ezra chapter 3 we read of the laying of the foundation of the new Temple. 
After the completion of the foundation of the new Temple … they had a special dedication service. 
The priest dressed up in their priestly robes, they unpacked their trumpets and cymbals, and they began to sing, praise, thank, and SHOUT over God's goodness, mercy and over the completion of the Temple foundation. BUT … there was a group of older (ancient) men that did not sing, praise, thank and shout. 
They sobbed, because they had seen the first Temple and this one did not compare, and they missed how it used to be. 


I. REASONS SOME SHOUTED 
Finally out of captivity! After 70+ years! {3:8}
Some of these were even born in captivity
{John 8:36} "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
{Isaiah 61:1} "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…"
{John 8:32-36}

Excited about the goodness and mercy of God! {3:11}
{Ps 23:6} "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
{Ps. 33:5} "…the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD."
{Ps 107:8} "Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"
{Ps 31:7} "I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities…"

Excited about the house of God! - {3:11}
And ALL that it stood for (i.e. word, work, fellowship, prayers, sacrifices, offerings)
{Ps 122:1} "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD."
{Ps 42:4} "When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday."
{Ps 55:14} "We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company."
{Ps 84:10} "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."


II. REASON SOME SOBBED 
Some of the "ancient" men were not able to shout over their freedom, the goodness & mercy of God, or the new foundation - because they remembered how things were BEFORE their sin, before their judgment, before their captivity.
{Hag 2:3} "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?"
Their Temple had been destroyed, their land plundered, and they had been taken into captivity BECAUSE OF THEIR SIN!
{Daniel 1:1-2} "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god."
{Psalm. 106:32-48}


BUT, God can bring the glory back! {Hag. 2:1-9}