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Royalty and Ruin
remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and
the words of Haggai the prophet.”
Verse 12
.
God Sends a Comforting Message
Less than a month after work on the temple resumed, the builders
received a comforting message: “Take courage, O Zerubbabel, ...
take courage, O Joshua, ... take courage, all you people of the land,
says the Lord; work, for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts.”
Haggai 2:4
, NRSV.
To His children today the Lord declares, “Take courage, ... work,
for I am with you.” Zechariah, whom God raised up to stand by
Haggai’s side, added to the earnest pleadings and encouragement
God had given through Haggai. Zechariah’s first message was an
assurance that God’s word never fails and a promise of blessing to
those who would obey the sure word of prophecy.
With their small supply of provisions rapidly dwindling, and
surrounded by unfriendly peoples, the Israelites moved forward by
faith and worked diligently to restore the ruined temple. Message
after message came through Haggai and Zechariah, with assurances
that their faith would be rewarded and that the future glory of the
temple whose walls they were building would not fail. In the fullness
of time, in this very building the Desire of all nations would appear
as the Savior of mankind.
The Promise of Temporal Prosperity
With repentance and willingness to advance by faith came the
promise of temporal prosperity: “From this day I will bless you.”
Verse 19
. God gave a precious message to Zerubbabel their leader,
who had been so severely tested through all the years since their
return from Babylon. The day was coming when the enemies of
God’s people would be thrown down. “In that day,” says the Lord of
hosts, “I will take you, Zerubbabel, My servant, ... and will make
you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you.”
Verse 23
.
Now the governor of Israel could see how God had led him
through discouragement and perplexity. God never leads His chil-
dren otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see