Finally! The nation of Israel, what’s left of it anyway, is coming back to Jerusalem after 70 years in exile. I have really enjoyed reading the post-exilic prophets (partly because I get to use the word “post-exilic” in a sentence) because they are so joyful! Haggai and Zechariah have such wonderful things to say about the future of Israel! Let’s look at Haggai’s little book.
God does have one small complaint with the Hebrews. They are living in nice houses, but His house is still a pile of rubble. “Seriously guys? You fix your houses up but leave mine a mess? Sheesh.” The land has not been as fruitful as they remember, and they have not had enough supplies. If they will build the temple, though, God will bless them. In the second year after their return from Babylon, they begin rebuilding the Temple.
We meet new characters in this book. Zerubbabel is the new governor of Judah; Joshua, son of Jehozadak, is the high priest. Haggai has a message for the people: “Be strong! Take courage! I, the LORD, am with you!” (Another Joshua had the same message for the people as they were entering the Promised Land many years before.)
Finally, God has a defining moment for his people. “Mark this day on your calendar,” God says. “This is the day you begin rebuilding the Temple, and this is the day that you will begin to see blessing.”
The greatest blessing of all is found in the closing verse of Haggai’s book. “‘On that day,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel...and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’” declares the LORD of hosts. God has chosen His people again.
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