5/18/25 Weekly Bible Lesson: Don't Spread Confusion

Ezra 3:1-13 NKJV 

Background of Text — David had said, “I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains” (2 Samuel 7:2). He had a great desire to build the temple, but his son Solomon built the temple. Solomon’s temple was glorious. The cost has been estimated to be in the billions. Approximately 3,000 tons of gold was used along with 30,000 tons of silver. Solomon spared no expense. 

In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon destroyed the temple, and Israel was held in captivity for 70 years. Ezra describes the return of the exiles under the reign of the Persian emperor, Cyrus. 

Chapter 3 is about worship being restored at Jerusalem. An altar was built and sacrifices given according to the Law of Moses. The Feast of Tabernacles was observed. In the second year, the priests and the Levites were appointed to oversee the work of the house of the Lord. 

Verses 10-13. One of the most fascinating faculties God has blessed us with is memory—the ability to remember. We remember days of joy: our wedding day and when children are born. 

What about those moments of agony? Perhaps the moment a loved one took their last breath or a tragic accident. Women go through pain as they give birth, and yet they would do it all over again to bring that little one into the world. As the child is placed in their arms, they momentarily forget the pain just experienced. Ask a mother later, however, about the pain and she will remember it. 

Verse 12. Remember the past. The Israelites remembered the glory of the former temple. When the foundation was laid, it brought back a rush of memories from when some of them were young. Many Israelites knew of the pride and joy surrounding the first temple but as they looked upon ruins, many wept in loud voices. They remembered the “good old days.” 

We remember “good old days” too—the weeklong revivals or the “old songs.” Hear an old hymn and it will bring back many memories. Preachers, elders, deacons, and faithful members of the past are remembered, some of whom had a lasting impact on our lives. Every generation has the “good old days.” You may remember how your parents or grandparents talked about the “good old days. 

How do you approach today with memories of the past? Some will say that the church will never be as strong as it once was. Have you ever thought about the first-century church and what they might say about what we call the “good old days?”  What is it about the church in Acts 2 that differs from today? 

Joy of the present. We may wish to go back to the way it once was, but we must be careful or else we will miss the joy of the present. The younger generation who was rejoicing would remember this day in their history. A former generation praised God in the same fashion as they did at the dedication of the first temple (compare verse 11 with 2 Chronicles 7:3). 

God kept His word in bringing them out of exile and back to Jerusalem. It was an opportunity to praise God for His characteristics and His actions. 

The older men missed an opportunity to find joy in the present because they were too busy reminiscing about the past. Let us take a word of warning. We can be too focused on the past that we may miss out on the blessings that God is providing in the present.  

People of all ages worship and praise God today. It may not be in the same “fashion” as we remember but there is something to be said about a younger generation praising the Lord. God is still moving in the lives of people today. His Word is still alive today. He still forgives, loves, and has mercy. He deserves to be praised today just as we did yesterday. There is joy in the present for all of us. Let’s not miss the joy of what God does today because we are so focused on the past.  

Don’t spread confusion. There is something striking about this whole incident. We find it in verse 13, “The people could not discern between the joy and the weeping.” This may seem strange to us, but in the East, they wailed in their sorrow with an excitement to their grief. We all know how exuberant we can be when there is joy which can be heard quite a bit away. 

What do people learn from us concerning Christianity? Are we so focused on the past, finding fault with everything that is different from yesterday that we discourage others from coming to Christ? Or maybe we are so focused on the present we do not appreciate where we have come from. What message are we giving to the world around us? 

Can they see the unity involved with the believers? Are we of one accord like in Acts, with the same purpose, goal, and looking for the same prize set before us? Let us not forget our past, but hold to the present where God is alive and moving in a generation that too many have deemed as lost.