As we began our
study in the book of Haggai, we learned the background for the
writing of this book. The children of Israel had returned from exile
in Babylon and began to build the temple. Their progress was impeded
by the Samaritans who offered their help but were rejected by the
Israelites. The Samaritans complained to Darius the king, and a
“cease and desist” order was issued which stopped the building.
In the appeal time, the Israelites turned their attention toward
their own houses rather than the house of God, and Haggai's
commission was to encourage and exhort them to return to rebuilding
the temple after Darius reissued a permit to do so. In chapter one
and verse one of Haggai's prophecy, he shares the introduction and
timing of his prophecy where we read:
In the
second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day
of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto
Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the
son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
The
verse begins, “In the second year of Darius the king, in
the sixth month, in the first day of the month,...” Haggai
begins with the phrase, “In the second year”
which means “the second year when Darius was king” “of
Darius” whose name means
“lord” and was “the son of Ahasuerus, king of the
Chaldeans, who succeeded to the Babylonian kingdom on the death of
Belshazzar” “the king”
or “royal”, “in the sixth month,
in the first day of the month”
which means “on the first day of the sixth month of Darius' reign”.
This is why we determine 520 b.c. as the timing for the writing of
this book.
The
verse continues, “...came the word of the LORD by Haggai
the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of
Judah,...” Haggai added, “came
the word” or “speech,
utterance and saying” “of the LORD”
which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” who is “the existing one
and the proper name of the one true God” “by Haggai”
whose name means “festive” and was “the tenth in order of the
minor prophets and the first to prophecy after the captivity” “the
prophet” which is “a
spokesman or speaker” “unto Zerubbabel”
whose name means “sown in Babylon” and was “the grandson of
king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles
from Babylon” “the son of Shealtiel”
whose name means “I have asked of God” and was “the father of
Zerubbabel, son of Jehoiachin or Jeconiah or Coniah of Judah and
uncle of Zerubbabel” “governor”
or “prince, leader or commander of soldiers” “of
Judah” which means “praised”
and was “the kingdom comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin
which occupied the southern part of Canaan after the nation split
upon the death of Solomon”. This portion of the verse shares what
was written, “the word of the Lord”,
by whom it was written, “Haggai”,
what Haggai's position was “prophet”, and
to whom it was written “unto Zerubabbel”
the “governor of Judah”.
The
verse goes on to say, “...and to Joshua the son of
Josedech, the high priest, saying,” Haggai
continued, “and to Joshua”
whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” and was “the son
of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration”
“the son of Josedech”
whose name means “Jehovah is righteous” and was “grandson of
the high priest Hilkiah; son of the high priest Seraiah; and father
of the high priest Joshua; he never attained the office of high
priest himself because he was carried captive to Babylon by
Nebuchadnezzar”, “the high” or
which refers to “the
great, important and distinguished” “priest”
or “principal officer and chief ruler”, “saying”
which means “speaking and utterance”. Haggai included the second
person to whom this prophecy was addressed, “Joshua”
who was “the high priest”
in Jerusalem after the captivity.
When
we think through these words of Haggai, we begin to see the
importance of including both the governing leader and the religious
leader in this prophecy. As we read and study through this book, let
us remember that “God Almighty” through the “Holy Spirit” is
inspiring the words that are written, and when we think about
“government” and “religion” we perceive that God is involved.
Jesus Christ came to “rule” and to “reign” in people's lives,
and this means not only “belief in Him” as Savior, but also
desiring for Him to “govern” or be “Lord” over their lives as
well. As we study, let us imagine ourselves as the people for whom
this prophecy concerns and ask the question, “would Haggai be
saying these things to us today?” May the Lord Jesus remind us that
He is both “Savior” and “Lord”, and may we yield to His
desires when He convicts.
Next
time Haggai will tell the people “it is time that the
LORD's house should be built”,
so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” 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.
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