September 11 - Haggi 2:1-9 | Zechariah 1:1-6 | Haggi 2:10-19 | Ezra 5:2 | Haggi 2:20-23 | Zechariah 1:7-5:11

Good morning everyone,

Well, just look at those names at the top of the page. When I saw them written out like that, me and my ever active and sometimes wacky mind’s eye could see them all sitting around a camp fire one evening at maybe a Prophets Conference saying things like, “I know, I know … when I told the people what God showed me they looked at me like I was crazy” and another while adjusting the wood in the fire would answer saying, “Me too, I tried so hard to get them to listen but they just laughed and scoffed then walked away shaking their heads.” While I have made light of the prophet’s challenges in their calling, may I suggest, that society today is not all that different from the Jews of antiquity. Some do not listen at all to the pleadings of those who teach God’s Word while others go through the Bible picking and choosing what they want to obey and throw the rest in the garbage. In the book of Luke we can read that Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” I want to be blessed. You?

As we begin today, the Jews had returned to Jerusalem and built an alter and then were in the process of rebuilding the temple when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin  basically threatened the people and bribed the officials frustrating the plans. After sixteen years God wanted to “get ‘er done” therefore sent the prophets Haggai and Zechariah, though totally different personalities, they did both have a passion to see the temple rebuilt.

Haggai was a “hands on” kind of guy and was the man God used to encourage the people to get back to work. His message: Put Yahweh first! Yeah …. not second, third, fourth or last! Numero uno! Number one!! If you neglect God you are in trouble! If you put God first He will bless you. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Hallelujah. God wanted His people to rebuild the temple! Dog gone it. How can God’s blessing come if God’s people allow the temple to lie in ruins? Right?

Zechariah began his ministry two months after Haggai and was more of a "head in the clouds” kind of guy, Zechariah was a visionary. That is to say his book is filled with visions that can be very difficult to grasp, there was more thinking involved AND get this, the book of Zechariah has more to say about the Jesus Christ than any of the other minor prophets. God wanted them to know that a great Messiah would come out of their nation. The book of Zechariah looks down the road of time and sees both the first and second coming of Jesus Christ. Very cool! 

So, God used Zechariah and God used Haggai. I love how these men were polar opposites, one’s message was clear and simple the other’s very thought provoking, but both of the messages were, word for word, directly from God. This shows us that every person is different and God uses different people in different ways. This so is true even today.  Friends, if you are a Christian, you have put your faith and hope in Christ, you need to remember that you are, that I am, different from every other believer! We all have our own gifts to use to promote the kingdom of God, to win hearts to Jesus Christ. That’s what we’re here for. In 2 Timothy it says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” God wants to use you in a very special way! It might not look the same as others but it is perfect for what God has in mind for you. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory!

God bless you all …..