We often reserve that phrase for the great Book of Nehemiah, “the joy of the Lord.” (Nehemiah 8:10 … “For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So true!)

Yet that’s exactly what I have titled today’s Lesson, “the joy of the Lord.”

But based on an Ezra Text, written at the Feast of Passover, the very week the (newly completed) Temple was dedicated! “And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity … did eat (the Passover lamb), and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days WITH JOY: for THE LORD HAD MADE THEM JOYFUL.”

Wow, Ezra 6:21-22.

God had given them “gladness,” the idea behind the Hebrew word “simchah” used here. It is actually translated “joy” 44 times in the Old Testament, King James Version.

Here’s my point today … at this event, this celebratory Passover, it’s 100% joy, apparently! Everyone participates in the delight! In fact, our Text says GOD HIMSELF “made them joyful!”

Now, go back just a few years, when the foundation of this same Temple was being laid … many “wept,” instead of singing! “But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient (old) men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, WEPT with a loud voice.” Ezra 3:12

What?

Yet, even the very beginning of the Temple construction there was joy … at least for many in Judah! Back to Ezra 3:12 … “and many shouted aloud for joy.”

Here’s what I am saying, when the Temple rebuilding first began … some shouted and some cried, the pessimists thinking this new Temple was ‘insignificant,” certainly when compared with the former Temple, Solomon’s!

Joy, but only partial joy among the Israelites.

But about 20 years later, when the Temple was complete and the first Passover instituted … the joy has now become universal, 100% so among the Jews!

God has quieted the crying, the weeping!

And instead has given, to even the most dejected, shouts of praise and gladness and thanksgiving and joy!

Hallelujah!

Reminds me of Psalm 30:5 … “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” That’s the way it is, most often, with the Lord!

Looks like between start and finish of the Temple … God wiped away some tears! (He shall do so again, yet in the future! “And GOD SHALL WIPE AWAY ALL TEARS FROM THEIR EYES; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4)

Yes, HE can still do so!

Take away tears and give, instead, joy!

Yes, God plans yet again … “to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” Isaiah 61:3

Praise His Name!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

And what kind of joy is this? Well, according to Simon Peter … “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” See 1st Peter 1:8 for the full quote.