Hope for a New Day
Haggai 2:20-23
or Haggai 2:23, Zechariah 4:1-3, 6-14
International Sunday School Lesson
June 22, 2014
Commentary
By
Jed Greenough
Each week I try to include the two most commonly followed
scriptures but this week they are vastly different. Some of you are only studying Haggai 2:20-23
while others are skipping verses 20-22 in the aforementioned case but adding
those from Zechariah. Of course my
suggestion is that you read both!
Haggai and Zechariah were both "operating" at the same time
which is not surprising given the importance of what is happening in history
with the Jewish people and their temple.
Because of their falling away from God the glorious temple built by King
Solomon was destroyed and the Jewish people were swept away into exile.
Of course God knew what might be going through the
peoples’ minds as they built something that some of them could compare from
memory (Haggai 2:3). That temple was indeed glorious in its
awesome beauty and people didn't have to have seen it to remember that. But God said, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the
former house”. Haggai 2:9
Likewise the two prophets both mention in today’s scripture
the thoughts that must have been going on in Zerubbabel’s and perhaps Joshua’s
mind as well (our two olive branches as I understand them).
The task before these two was formidable and Zerubbabel ,the
descendant in David’s line like Solomon, didn't wield the power that Solomon
had when that first temple was built. So
I look at today’s scripture in part as being a series of encouragements to
those involved.
Zerubbable needed to know that God was in control.
Zerubbabel needed to hear that royal thrones, kingdoms and armies were
God’s to control and He said He would when He said would overturn and shatter
them, not just once but twice in the short book of Haggai’s chapter 2.
Zerubbabel had to wonder how much power he really had so God
gave him those encouragements about the secular matters but he would also receive assurances about the temple.
God said it would be accomplished not by might or power but
by God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). But God didn't quit the buildup going on to
say that a mighty mountain would be nothing before Zerubbabel, his hand laid
the foundation and his hands would complete it.
Joshua and Zerubbabel, the two anointed ones, Priest and
ruler; I agree with others who state that this combination points to our
Priestly King in Jesus. Have a great lesson!
For Discussion:
1. Discuss
the significance of being chosen as Joshua and Zerubbabel were.
2. Discuss
the stress or doubts that might create.
3. Discuss
the roles of Haggai and Zechariah.
4. Discuss
God’s authority and use of rulers and nations, prophets and priests.
5. Discuss
the imagery in today’s Zechariah.
6. Discuss
the difference between the roles as seen when the temple was built by Solomon
and this one.
Upcoming Lessons
June 29 A Call to Unity or Pursue Unity in Christ,
1 Corinthians 1:10-17 or 1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:4-9
July 6 Glorify God with Your Body, 1 Corinthians
6:12-20
July 13 Love Builds Up or Exercise Freedom with
Caution, 1 Corinthians 8
July 20 Overcoming Temptation, 1Corinthians
10:12-22 or 1 Corinthians 10:6-22
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL
VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of
Zondervan. All rights reserved
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