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.
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How would the book of Haggai helped the Jewish people? For a two chapter book is full of good instruction for the Jewish people. The Lord tells the people to consider their ways. Chapters 8-9 God says His temple should be built so He can take pleasure in it and be glorified. He also tells them they have so little because His house is in ruins while they run to their own houses. Chapter 17 is another verse of good instruction,"I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me," says the Lord. If they would have turned to the Lord and rebuilt the temple all would have been well. Hope for the Jewish people after the destruction of the temple is found in chapter 22. God will overthrow the strength of the Gentile kingdoms.
The book of Zechariah is similar is it's message. In chapter 1:16-17, God says He is returning to Jerusalem with mercy and His house shall be built in it. His cities will again spread out through prosperity. That would have given great hope to the Jews after they were removed from their land. Chapter 3 tells of God removing Joshuas dirty clothes (sins) and replacing them with clean ones. God will forgive them. The best message for reforming the Jewish people is found in Chapter 3:7, "Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand there. In hindsight this would appear to be an easy thing to do. It certainly would have helped some of the Israelites to have this book after the destruction of the temple.
Zechariah’s prophetic message was God is at work and plans to live again with his people in Jerusalem. He will save them from their enemies and cleanse them from sin. This kind of message was good for the purification of the temple.
If people believe that God is around them they will be more motivated, thus working harder on the temple and the city itself. The theme of Zechariah is to fear God. If the people of Jerusalem fear God they will conduct themselves in a manner that will not displease God.
The Book of Zechariah I believe gives people hope. No matter what man does God will always be there for man with an unconditional love, because the Lord does help those in need.
Haggai addresses that everyone is living in luxurious homes, while the Temple remains in ruins. The Lord even said to the people, "think it over, consider how you have acted, and what has happened as a result!" The Lord also exclaimed that no matter how much they may gain, it will never last because the Temple is in ruins and all they care about is themselves, their possessions, and their big fancy houses.
The prophetic messages would have helped the people, but they were too eager to satisfy they're worldly needs and disregarded that of the Lord and his Temple.
The Lord just wants the people to do what is right, in Haggai 2:8-9 he says that he wants the new temple to be greater than the old one and he has plenty of silver and gold to do it. All the people have to do is build it. The Lord is providing them everything they need, all they have to do is act!
One of the most important messages I found in Haggai was when Haggai told the people that they are contaminating the sacrifices by living with selfish attitudes and evil hearts. It is not just the sacrifice, but everything that they do. Despite the Lord's help, the people are still ungreatful. If the people had just payed attention and did what they were supposed to then they might not have been punished so.
Haggai and Zechariah both ahd to deal with the disobedience of the Jewish community. Also the times have now come that the people would be scattered that the other prophets were foretelling. These are not the good times like with Amos or Isaiah. Haggai and Zechariah stress for the Jewish people to repent and return to God.These teachings would help the Jewish people to surive because it gave them hope and encouragement. Encouragement that God would punish their enemies, that He is with them and will help them rebuild, also the coming of the Messiah brings them hope.
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