Rebuilding

    When you build something it has to be on a strong foundations: building, relationships, business, anything.  Without a strong foundation it will crumble very quickly.  However, even with a strong foundation, there are times that are hard to survive.  When it is destroyed, it takes more work to rebuild. than to move on and start over.  Most people will walk away, but those who are determined they have a lot of work ahead of them.

    After the Israel exiles returned to Jerusalem and all of Israel, the real work began.  I am so glad that life is a journey because knowing just how hard things would get at times, I would have probably taken a different path.  

    After the people got settled, the priest and leaders built an altar and began to make offerings.  The people had been back for seven month when they all returned to Jerusalem.  The first thing that had to be done was that the foundation of God's house had to be relayed.  They had to remove the rubble and replaced, not all but a lot.  Everyone 20 and older worked on the temple.  It took almost two years just for the foundation.

    It was hard work, but they had music and worship to make it more enjoyable.  It was a reminder of why they were working so hard and to have a joyful spirit.  When the foundation was complete, the priest wept in joy.  The first step was over.  It was time of celebration and it could be heard from a distance.  Each step of a journey need to be recognized and acknowledged.

Ezra 3