The first stone.
We now come in this story to a very critical time. The great work of the restoration of the house, for the sake of which the partial restoration of Israel to Canaan had been brought about and was to continue, at last is before us. We read, on the one hand, of the very last step in the way of prelude and preparation. We read, on the other, of the very first step in the way of actual construction. In both we shall find how much importance is attached to the juncture.
I. THE LAST PRELIMINARY. The site being fixed, the workmen engaged, as also, we may suppose (the "second month of the second year" having arrived), the proper materials being now on the spot, it only remains to arrange, before finally starting, for proper superintendence. Who so likely for this as those who had a kind of family fitness or hereditary call to that work, viz; the Levites of sufficient age? And what so proper an age (i.e. if second thoughts are best) as the age fixed by the "last words of David" (1 Chronicles 23:27, compared with 1 Chronicles 23:3, 1 Chronicles 23:24-26; and see 2 Chronicles 29:25 as further evidence of the authority attaching to all David's arrangements concerning the house)? Such, accordingly, was the precedent followed by all concerned in this case. All who helped to make up the whole "remnant" that had returned to Jerusalem (including by name both leaders, and by express mention the priests and Levites, and by implication all other Israelites) approved of this plan. And all thus called and "appointed," i.e. all those Levites belonging to those families which had that hereditary acquaintance before referred to, equally approved of it too. Two families of such have been already mentioned among those that came up (Ezra 2:40). We find mention now for the first time, though not for the only time (Nehemiah 3:18, Nehemiah 3:24; Nehemiah 10:9), of a third, viz; the family or "sons of Henadad." Possibly these may have come up at some subsequent date, or it may be that they only form some minor division, which, as being specially qualified for the work now to be entered on, come specially now to the front. In any case it is a significant indication of the universal readiness on the part of all qualified Levites "to set forward the work." Indeed, in this "last preliminary" this seems the principal feature presented to us, this marked unanimity of will and judgment. As they appear to have travelled from Babylon, as they had harmoniously arranged in distributing the people (Ezra 2:70), as they had all agreed about erecting the altar (Ezra 3:2), so are they all of one mind also in this finishing touch. We may well believe that it was one secret of their happy progress so far. There is nothing so fatal as the absence of unanimity in building a house (Genesis 11:6-8). Nothing so effectual as its presence, especially where God's house is concerned (see Zephaniah 3:9, Zephaniah 3:10; John 13:34, John 13:35; John 17:20, John 17:21; also Acts 4:32, Acts 4:33; Ephesians 2:19-21; 1 Peter 2:5).
II. THE FIRST MOVE. This was the action, of course, of placing the first stone. (Contrast, as a description of utter destruction, Matthew 24:2.) How important a step this was considered may be seen by noting the formalities observed on the occasion, being almost identical with those observed at that more than royal progress described in 2 Chronicles 5:4-14 (comp. also 1 Chronicles 15:27, 1 Chronicles 15:28). How significant too these formalities were in themselves. "Trumpets" are used commonly on occasions of state, to notify the approach of the sovereign, to draw attention to proclamations made in his name. In the Old Testament we find them employed to "sound an alarm," or assemble the people, or proclaim the Jubilee year (Le 2 Chronicles 25:8-10; Numbers 10:9, Numbers 10:10; Joel 2:1, Joel 2:15; Amos 3:6); and that generally, though not always, in the hands of the priests (Joshua 6:6, Joshua 6:8, Joshua 6:13; 7:1-25.; 1 Chronicles 15:24; 1 Chronicles 16:4-6; 2 Chronicles 5:12). The priests, therefore, as here, sounding these, and clad in official garments, made the occasion one of state in God's name, as though himself present and speaking peace. On the other hand, the cymbals and songs of the Levites, praising God again in the ancient, national, and highly-esteemed manner (1 Chronicles 16:41; Psalms 136:1-26.; and the prophecy of Jeremiah 33:10, Jeremiah 33:11), was a kind of response to that voice. One is almost reminded of the "goodwill towards man" and "glory to God in the highest," when the foundation-stone of redemption was laid in Christ's birth (Luke 2:14). How important also the occasion was found to be in practice. Well begun is half done." A foundation-stone is both a proof and a promise—a proof of much, a promise of more. How much had now been accomplished! How great a step at last taken I How much more might be hoped! When the heart is full of such feelings, what can it do but shout out (see Zephaniah 3:14; Zechariah 9:9). Compare also the shout of Xenophon's returning ten thousand when they found out how far they had travelled towards the goal they desired on first catching sight of the sea. Just so the men here. "The foundation is laid. We shall soon have the house. Praise God." So they felt, so they shouted in the exuberance of their joy. So may a Christian also, when laying, as it were, by simple faith in Christ, the "foundation-stone" of his hope. With these "pleasures of hope," however, there were also sorrows of memory. Some fifty years or thereabouts before then there had been another house on that spot. There were "ancient men" present there who had seen it in all its glory. They could see it still in their minds. To them, therefore, this present "foundation-stone" recalled years of shame, and terror, and agony. Oh, that such a thing as this should ever have been required! That there should ever have been this pitiable necessity for thus beginning again! That there should be such a scene around them as they saw at that time (see, even long afterwards, Nehemiah 7:4; also Haggai 2:3; Zechariah 4:10)! Bursting into uncontrollable tears at these thoughts, they filled the air with their cries. It was impossible indeed for any to distinguish which kind of cry prevailed most, the cries of sorrow or those of joy. No wonder the story adds that "the noise was heard afar off." Regarded, indeed, from a typical and prophetical point of view, has it ceased echoing yet (see, inter alia, Psalms 118:22-24; Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:4-8)?
HOMILIES BY W. CLARKSON