Ezra 6:16-18 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

The dedication of the temple.

As the temple was a type of the Church of God, and the stones of which it was composed represented individual believers, so the completing of the building foreshadowed that grand consummation in which the number of the elect shall be complete. The consequent dedication of the finished edifice will therefore represent the future devotion to the service of God of his glorified Church. By anticipation it also describes the service which believers should now render to God, since each part should be a true sample of the whole. In this view how fittingly was the dedication of the temple an occasion of joy ( Ezra 6:16 )!

I. THE REJOICING WAS OVER THE FINISHED WORK .

1. It was the end of all their toil.

2. It was the triumph of their faith and hope.

II. THEY REJOICED OVER IMMENSE SACRIFICES .

1. There were peace offerings for the dedication.

2. There were sin offerings for all Israel.

III. THEY REJOICED OVER THE ORDERING OF THE SERVICE OF GOD .

1. The priests were distributed into their divisions.

2. The Levites also were distributed into courses.

(a) those connected with sacrifice ( 2 Chronicles 31:2 ).

(b) Supervising matters pertaining to the temple.

(c) Keeping the doors of the house of the Lord.

(d) Leading the praise in the worship of God.

3. Believers in Christ are the priests and Levites of the spiritual sanctuary.