LAYING THE FOUNDATION
The Messages of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi
PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS: Parts I to IV are stored as separate documents and will need to be printed separately.
Table of Contents
Part Two - Zechariah’s Message
Part Three - Pronouncements and Prophecies
What has the foundation of an ancient building to do with your future? Is it possible that your destiny is tied to the laying of a foundation over two and a half thousand years ago?
According to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah the future of mankind was being foreshadowed when a remnant from the Babylonian captivity was allowed to return to lay the substructure of a temple in Jerusalem. Their work and accomplishments were shadows of a much greater purpose and plan that God is working to achieve!
What began as a relatively small article about the significance of building the post-exilic temple has escalated to a virtual commentary on the three prophetic books of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi and should be read in conjunction with them. While various commentaries used for researching this paper generally agreed on matters of interpretation and have provided excellent background material they often fell short in providing the bigger picture of what God was accomplishing through the remnant that returned to Judah. They often fail to link valid interpretation and conclusions to an overall context and thereby obscure difficult passages with equally obscure and difficult interpretations. The Jewish Study Bible (JPS Tanakh Translation) although very helpful, limits itself because the Jews do not accept the New Testament writings and also fail to see the linkages.
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overall context into which the generally accepted interpretations of the visions, proclamations and prophecies fit, making it easier to interpret some of the more difficult passages.
The books of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi were written after the Babylonian captivity. A cursory reading of their writings may leave the reader somewhat confused because of the symbolism used in the messages and visions. But a closer inspection reveals a profound series of prophecies that portray God’s magnificent plan and its outcome.
It is important to understand the concept that ancient names for God’s people like the House of Judah, House of Joseph and Ephraim (Zechariah 9:10, 10:6, 7) are often used in prophetic literature to represent God’s people in modern times who comprise the spiritual body of those who have been called by God and given His Holy Spirit. And on the other hand names like Assyria, Egypt (Zechariah 10:11) and Edom (Malachi 1:4), who were the adversaries of ancient Israel and Judah, represent the adversaries of those who are God’s people today.
The prophetic books of Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi are complemented by the historic books of the same period, Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther that help to complete the overall picture.
For example, Ezra tells us the reasons for the delay between the laying of the foundation and the continuation of work on the temple. Once the foundation of the new temple had been laid the efforts of the builders were frustrated by their adversaries who sought legal representation against them, “Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia,” (Ezra 4:4-5).
They made accusations, “And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem.” (Ezra 4:6), and used political threats, “Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings.” (Ezra 4:13).
Eventually they persuaded the king to force essation of work on the temple, “Give ye now commandment to cause these men to cease, and that this city be not builded, until another commandment shall be given from me. Take heed now that ye fail not to do this: why should damage grow to the hurt of the kings? Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes’ letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.” (Ezra 4:21-24).
Work was not commenced again until fourteen or fifteen years later when Haggai encouraged them to complete the work. Despite the delaying tactics of the adversaries completion of the temple was to be accomplished. Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the builders by explaining the significance of what they were doing to give them hope. Because what they were doing foreshadowed future spiritual events they had to be described in physical terms that they were familiar with. And the events being foreshadowed were to shape the destiny of mankind forever.
END Continue to Part One - Haggai's Message
Return to Home Articles Top of page
Last modified: 04/28/07
If you want to comment on our website or discuss any of our articles we can be contacted by email at: childrenofthepromises@paradise.net.nz