God Commands, Promises, and Fulfills

Today’s Reading: EZRA 4:1–5; 6:13–15

He last two days we read from Haggai and Zechariah.
* They were prophets of the post-exilic period.
* Here, we read from Ezra, which is the first book of historical record from that same period.
* The events of Ezra chapters 1–6 are largely concerned with rebuilding the Temple, which along with Haggai and Zechariah make a nice set of history and prophecy.

One big, quick observation.
* In Haggai, we read how God commanded his people to building his house.
* In Zechariah, we read about God’s jealous love for his people and his declaration that, yes, his house would indeed be built in Jerusalem.
* He commanded, and he promised the same thing!

So, as we read about the finishing of the Temple, here, we see that God has fulfilled his promise.
* And we should not be unsettled when obstacles are averted by the decrees of pagan kings.
* Just as God used Babylon to discipline his people, he can use Persia to protect.
* God may act directly, through miracle and wonder, or he may act through other means, employing his children or even his enemies to fulfill his purposes.

The whole story of the captivity, return, and rebuilding of Jerusalem is a powerful illustration of God’s sovereignty.

The Lord’s Jealousy is Zechariah’s Message of Comfort

Today’s Reading: Zechariah 1:7–17

Zechariah and Haggai have a lot in common.
* Their ministries overlap, both prophesying early in the return from captivity.
* Unlike most other prophets, they are not, therefore, associated with the reign of a king of Israel or Judah.
* Instead, Haggai receives his call as prophet in the sixth month of the second year of the reign of King Darius of Persia (Hag 1:1), while Zachariah identifies the eighth month of the same year (Zech 1:1).
* These two post-exilic prophets share many themes, not the least of which being the rebuilding of the Temple.

Here, at the outset of Zechariah’s prophecy, we are shown an interaction between the Lord and his agents.
* Isn’t it interesting that even these supernatural horsemen are given missions to accomplish?
* The LORD doesn’t need to receive reports about current events, as if he could only see so far in the distance.
* No, he is not limited by time and space, as if he were a part of his own creation; rather, he is everywhere and sees all things, even the end from the beginning.
* But, in the economy of the heavenly kingdom, the angels have commands to obey (with pleasure!) and roles to fulfill.

In response to the report of the horsemen, the angel of the LORD, cries out for mercy on behalf of the returning captives.
* They have come home to find their cities (and the Temple) destroyed.
* And the LORD replies favorably, with “gracious and comforting words” (v. 13).

Zechariah is given a message to “Cry out,” that is, he should share this prophecy of grace and comfort.
* The message begins with two announcements: that God is exceedingly jealous for his people, and that God is exceedingly angry with the enemies of his people (vv. 14–15).
* The result of the LORD’s passion will be the reconstruction of Jerusalem, including his “house,” and an overflow of prosperity throughout the land.

Do we, too, have a message of God’s jealous love and righteous anger? Do we have a message of grace and comfort we must cry out?

Build the Temple First

Today’s Reading: Haggai 1:2–12

Haggai was likely the first prophet to arise after the return from exile in Babylon.
* Under the leadership of Zerubabbel (see Ezra), the people had begun the rebuilding of the Temple.
* But their enthusiasm had grown cold.
* So, Haggai comes along and reminds everyone to finish rebuilding the Temple.

We shouldn’t be distracted by the physical building.
* The point is not that there needs to be a place of residence.
* No, the Temple represented the presence of the LORD among his people.
* That it had gone neglected meant that the communion between God and people had also been neglected.

And remember, though the Temple was “God’s house” in Haggai’s time, Pentecost (Acts 2) changed all that.
* Now, the believer is the Temple: God dwells in his people.
* There is no need for a building, as many a Sunday School teacher has emphasized.
* The members of the Church make up the Body of Christ.

But the principle here in Haggai remains: Whose house are we building?
* Are we most concerned with our houses, literally, that is?
* Are we worried primarily about our finances and properties and possessions?
* Or are we most concerned with the building of God’s house?
* That is, are we fundamentally focused on growing in our spiritual walk and the expanding of the Kingdom?

And so, Jesus commands: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).