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Ezra 3:10-13 – Praying through the Bible #143 – A Prayer I Can’t Imagine
Imagine what it had to be like. No, I don’t think it possible. It’s good to try, sometimes. Sometimes we just need to accept instead of explaining and failing. Hoping to help by empathizing, compassion ignorantly says, “I know how you feel.” Thankfully most don’t know the tragedy personally. “If I were you,” some boldly say; but we aren’t. Experience is often the only true teacher. Young and old experience the same situation, reacting diametrically differently; based on their own past experiences. Un-experienced emotions are hard to imagine. Not all tears are equal. Not all joy the same.
Although powerful, think of the human imagination as a mental and emotional painting that cannot faithfully reproduce the unseen. Can you imagine being a Jew tattooed as an undesirable? Can you relive the atrocity when American soldiers first saw the unimaginable rumors confirmed? Can you envision losing everything – including your nation – then getting it back? Join me in this impossible journey of God’s people returning home to rebuild the temple.
Try to place yourself emotionally where your nation has been not only destroyed, but humiliated. This event is spiritually a decapitation, where the head of your religion allows Himself to be crushed, and allows the victors to glory in His disgrace. Then remember, you are responsible. For 70 years you either lived with the shame, or were born into that shame. Are you there mentally?
More amazing than God’s shunning, is His merciful grace in welcoming you back home. He allows His captivated people to return for another chance. Inventory of people, animals, and religious articles are meticulous (Ezra 1-2). Despite the national imprisonment, personal heritage remains confirmed; but for others it is lost (2.61-63). This is another blow to your identity. Who you are is no longer relevant.
Unlike your ancestors, when you finally reach home, you respect God through worship. This includes rebuilding His shattered home on earth; the home you or your parents beforehand did not care to keep holy. Just the foundation is laid, but that is enough for now. “The priests, dressed in their robes and holding trumpets, and the Levites descended from Asaph, holding cymbals, took their positions to praise the LORD, as King David of Israel had instructed” (3.10). Among the worshippers, there is no bitterness of a punishment undeserved. There is praise and song, “For He is good; His faithful love to Israel endures forever” (3.11). Then people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD (3.11). Try to imagine being so full emotionally shouting your prayer! Those who had seen the old temple weep loudly; the younger ones shout joyfully (3.12). Not all tears are equal. Not all prayers are joyful. Some are filled with sadness at what was. Some are filled with regret. I cannot faithfully imagine what it was like for either.
Prayer Challenge: Experience your prayers as only you can, whether in tears or joy.
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