In the book of Ezra, Ezra said, “Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia”, and in chapter five and verse one of Ezra, Ezra shared about, “Haggai and Zechariah” where we read,
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
The verse reads, “Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, ...” Ezra began with the words, “then the prophets” which means “at that time the spiritual oracles, seers and diviners”, “Haggai the prophet” which means “Haggai whose name means festive and was the first spiritual oracle, seer and diviner to prophecy after the captivity”, “and Zechariah” or “and Zechariah whose name means Jehovah remembers” “the son of Iddo” which means “the male offspring belonging to Iddo whose name means His witness and was the grandfather of Zechariah”. Ezra referred to the “prophets” “Haggai and Zechariah” who did the following.
The verse continues, “... prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.” Ezra added the words, “prophesied unto the Jews” or “made spiritual declarations to the Jehudaite or Judaite people of Israel” “that were in Judah” which means “who existed within Judah whose name means praised and was the territory of the tribe of Judah” “and Jerusalem” or “and Jerusalem whose name means teaching of peace and is the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split” “in the name” which means “within the fame, reputation and glory” “of the God of Israel” or “pertaining to the Supreme Deity belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”,“even unto them” which means “also and indeed toward them, the Jewish people of Judah and Jerusalem”. Ezra shared how “Haggai and Zechariah” made spiritual declarations within the reputation and glory of the Supreme Deity to the Jewish people of “Israel” who were located in “Judah and Jerusalem”. (See the books of Haggai and Zechariah)
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through Ezra how the “prophets” “Haggai and Zechariah”came on the scene during this cessation of the rebuilding of the temple and city of Jerusalem. Much will be gained in this study by reading the two chapters of “Haggai” and the fourteen chapters of “Zechariah” to discover what they said to the Jewish people, but for now let us consider that God was involved in this process. Although there was a delay in their progress, the temple would be rebuilt. God loves the people of Israel, and He loves us. When He sent His Son into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, He made a way for everyone who surrenders their life to Him as “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. The prophetic words of “Haggai and Zechariah” served to motivate the Jewish people, and their story should help us in our personal walk with God.
Next time Ezra shares how Zerubbabel and Jeshua, “began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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