And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel.” Then all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. – (Ezra 3:11 NKJV)
In the book of Ezra, we see a great restoration coming. Ezra’s responsibility was to see that the temple and the people were restored. It wasn’t just the temple that had fallen into shambles, but also the morality of God’s people. In this way, Ezra’s restoration work foreshadows the work of Jesus in restoring man with God through the cross.
So, the first step to restoration was rebuilding the foundation. In the verse above, we see that as soon as the foundation was laid, the people began to celebrate. Why didn’t they wait until the entire structure was completed? Because once the foundation was laid, everything else would spring forth from that.
What is our foundation as God’s people? Ephesians 2:19-22 holds the answer:
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Jesus is our foundation!
Jesus, I declare that You are the chief cornerstone. Everything I am springs forth from You. Thank You for Your work of restoration in my life!
