It’s a little over 500 years before the birth of Christ and the 70-year Babylonian captivity had just come to an end. Zerubbabel was governor of a large group of Jews who were allowed to return to Judah. Their homeland was in ruins, and the once glorious temple was decimated beyond recognition.
Even so, only seven months after their return, Zerubbabel and the high priest (Joshua) built an altar and began offering daily sacrifices. A fervor of activity resulted in an actual foundation being laid for a new temple. But in the political climate of the day it was too much, too soon. Regional neighbors and historic foes of Israel/Judah objected, and through subterfuge, got Cyrus King of Persia to stop the building process by show of force. This delay in rebuilding the temple lasted 17 years. Must have been a pretty good show of force.
But it was not over. God tells his people in Haggai chapter 1: “I am with you”. Does that sound familiar? Let’s call this “Emanuel” foreshadowing. “So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel (governor of Judah), and the spirit of Joshua (the high priest), and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God.”
For a modern take, it might read: “If you build it, He will come.”
I love Haggai’s phrase, “The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel.” It’s a partnership. Zerubbabel had a heart for the work, a desire to put God first in the restoration of the kingdom. God enflames his passion, stirs his desire. God is at work, his Spirit moves.
Yes, they have a lot of work to do. No status or respect as a country, no real army, and not even a temple. But, with help from Yahweh, their spirit is willing. Perhaps it is best summed up by one of my favorite texts, speaking about the daunting task of rebuilding the temple. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit sayeth the Lord” (Zachariah 4:6).
They wanted to rebuild, but they were still afraid. They needed encouragement. So God gives them a pep-talk through the prophet Haggai. “‘Now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, and work. For I am with you, and my Sprit remains among you. Do not fear.'” (Haggai 2:4-5).
And here it gets interesting… a straight-up Messianic prophecy about this new temple, that leads us straight to the Advent: “‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house. And in this place I will grant peace’” (Haggai 2:6-9).
This motivational speech worked. They moved forward boldly and rebuilt the temple after 70 years of captivity and 17 more years of waiting. It was this very temple that Jesus would stand in 500+ years later.
More than 2000 years later, while we celebrate the First Advent, we also await the Second. We face many obstacles and are challenged on all levels. Global pandemic and climate change, economic and social injustice, poverty, and homelessness to name a few.
How can we possibly effect change in this crazy world? Let me propose a paraphrase for our church as we stand on the cusp of a new year.
“‘But now be strong La Sierra University Church. Be strong, Pastors. Be strong, 92505, and work. For I am with you’, declares the Lord Almighty. ‘My Spirit is moving among you. Do. Not. Fear.’”
Charles McKinstry had Monte (his mother is Marletta), Monte had Ian, Jared, and Carson (their mother is Missy).