3:13 But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy.
The Israelites had a series of bad kings that led them to being taken captive. Cyrus decreed that they should return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. Once the foundation was laid, many of the younger people shouted for joy but the older generation wept. Why?
The prophet Haggai might address this very issue. God told Haggai to tell Zerubbabel, “Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing?” (Hag. 2:3)
Ah, the good ole’ days. Things just aren’t what they used to be. This is a common sentiment that becomes more common as people get older. It reflects a general feeling of dissatisfaction for current circumstances. It seems the best place to be is the place you just came from or the place you are about to go. It seems true in jobs, relationships, assignments, and where we live. It seems true of churches and pastors too. We get so caught up in earthly circumstances we lose sight of the fact that we have an ongoing relationship with God.
I can’t imagine God lamenting on how things used to be. He continues to work in the world to redeem everyone. He chooses to use people in carrying out His redemptive work even though He does not need us. Rather than dwell with joy in the presence of our LORD as we join Him on mission in the world, we cry for the good old days. Chances are, those days were not as good as you now remember them.
Haggai goes on. He tells Zerubbabel, “But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Hag. 2:4)
And so it is today. Things may not be what they used to be. It does not matter. We just need to heed the words of God through the prophet Haggai and be strong and work, for the LORD is with us.