Skim through Haggai and/or Zechariah. Note the problems in the Jewish community that these two prophets address. How would their prophetic message have helped in rebuilding Jerusalem and in helping reforms among the Jewish people? What aspects of their teachings might have helped the Jewish people survive even after the temple was destroyed and the Jews were removed from their land again?You may turn this into two "extra credit" blogs if you like: one entry on each book.
A recurring message that seems to come from both Zechariah and Haggai is that the Lord does not forget, but he does forgive. The Jewish community during the time of these two prophets was still not getting things right in rebuilding Jerusalem. My understanding of the scripture is that the people were not as repentant as they should have been and that the prophets were trying to call them to better action and renewed spirituality. Even after the temples and Jerusalem were destroyed and the people dispersed, the message that God will unite them again someday and all will be well eventually could serve as a hopeful, encouraging message.
ReplyDeleteHaggai’s message is to rebuild the temple. The Jews at this point had been told to stop rebuilding, and they did. Something like 8 years work had been stopped. Haggai is one of the people that help work start again. Haggai blames a drought that had fell over the land as a punishment for not rebuilding the temple. His message reminds the Jews of their exodus from Egypt…way back, making comparisons to their current situation. The message is that God has not broken his covenant with his chosen people, so get to work rebuilding the temple so you have a place to worship and follow your traditions.
ReplyDeleteZechariah 7:9-10 This is what the Lord Almighty said: Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other. Zechariah’s message is at the same time as Haggai’s, early in the Jews return to Jerusalem. His message is to a discouraged people, people beaten down one to many times, it’s falling on deaf ears. Zachariah must show the people God wants them to rebuild, God wants them to be happy, they just have to do a little bit of work, and glory is around the corner.
ReplyDeleteGod calls on Haggai to deliver a message, but mostly it dealt with the building of the temple. The people were living in fancy houses while the temple sat unfinished. He was different because even though the prophets before him, the people responded quicker to him. Once the temple is finally built the people become more blessed. They also keep with the faith better, because it seems as if they have finally listened to the word of God.
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