LESSON 16 • The Second Temple (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi)

OPEN 

Introduction to the Text

Book of Haggai

Author: Haggai 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Haggai as the Prophet Haggai.

Date of Writing: The Book of Haggai was written in approximately 520 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: Haggai sought to challenge the people of God concerning their priorities. He called them to reverence and glorify God by building the Temple in spite of local and official opposition. Haggai called them not to be discouraged because this Temple would not be quite as richly decorated as Solomon's. He exhorted them to turn from the uncleanness of their ways and to trust in God's sovereign power. The Book of Haggai is a reminder of the problems the people of God faced at this time, how the people courageously trusted in God and how God provided for their needs.

Book of Zechariah

Author: Zechariah 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Zechariah as the Prophet Zechariah.

Date of Writing: The Book of Zechariah was likely written in two primary segments, between 520 and 470 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: Zechariah emphasized that God has used His prophets to teach, warn and correct His people. Unfortunately, they refused to listen. Their sin brought God's punishment. The book also bears evidence that even prophecy could be corrupted. History shows that in this period prophecy fell into disfavor among the Jews, leading to the period between the Testaments when no lasting prophetic voice spoke to God's people.

Book of Malachi

Author: Malachi 1:1 identifies the author of the Book of Malachi as the Prophet Malachi.

Date of Writing: The Book of Malachi was written between 440 and 400 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: The Book of Malachi is an oracle: The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi (1:1). This was God’s warning through Malachi to tell the people to turn back to God.

“DIG

Hope deferred makes the heart sick.” So Solomon tells us in Proverbs 13:12. Unrealized hopes destroys marriages, ruins careers, prompt suicides, and make midlife crisis a household term. To bet your life on someone or something and then lose is more than demoralizing. It can cripple. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah are called to minister to people who began with elevated hopes and dreams. This first group of returning exiles gave up what had become, surprisingly enough, a comfortable life in captivity. With the words of the earlier prophets in their minds and hearts, they headed home to the Land of Promise. 

The predictions of exile by Jeremiah and others had not been popular; but now the people could claim the brighter prophecies of restoration. (Jer. 30:1-31:40). Riches did not await them, but they could be the first generation to reenter the land and see God work. In Israel’s history they could stand like those of Joshua’s generation and see God do great and mighty things for them. Yet it was not to be. The initial attempt to rebuild the temple was halted for fifteen years by opposition from non-Jewish residents and officials. The work had barely begun. Unlike Joshua’s generation, the Jews had no command from God to exterminate the other peoples in the land, nor were the enabled to do so. They came not with might or with power. They came by permission of Cyrus. Disillusion set in. Cynicism found fertile soil. Energies were turned to the business of making a living. Hope was placed on a dusty shelf to be reconsidered when more time was available. At this point in the story God sends Haggai and Zechariah to energize, motivate, and spur his people forward. 

Malachi wrote the words of the Lord to God’s chosen people who have gone astray. In particular the priests were in this group of people that have turned from the Lord. Priests were not treating the sacrifices they were to make to God seriously. Animals with blemish were being sacrificed even though the law stated animals without defect were the proper type of sacrifice to the Lord (Deuteronomy 15:21). The men of Judah were dealing with the wives of their youth treacherously and wondering why God would not accept their sacrifices. Also, people were not tithing like they should of (Leviticus 27:30, 32).*

• The Israelites had rested all their hopes on an eternal earthly kingdom. They were demoralized and confused when captivity fell on them. Had God been unfaithful to them? What had they misunderstood? 

• Palestine was by no means unpopulated when the Israelites returned from exile. Some of the Jews had remained and many people had been brought into the area. How do you think all these homeless exiles were looked upon by the resident people? What place do you think they occupied in social circles?


*This section was adapted from Albert H. Baylis' "From Creation to the Cross," Chapter 16.


REFLECT

Our overview of the themes of Haggai and Zechariah makes plain the out look of the prophets after the Exile: The house of David and the house of God, so tightly combined in the original Davidic Covenant (2 Sam. 7:11 – 16), are still the hope of the future. “Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come” (Mal. 3:1) God’s presence with the nation once again, predicted in Ezekiel 44:4, is her only hope of restoration and salvation. The other concern of Malachi is a call for the followers of God to be ready when he comes. 

The Book of Haggai draws attention to common problems most people face even today. Haggai asks us: 1) to examine our priorities to see if we are more interested in our own pleasures than doing the work of God. 2) to reject a defeatist attitude when we run into opposition or discouraging circumstances. 3) to confess our failures and seek to live pure lives before God. 4) to act courageously for God because we have the assurance that He is with us always and is in full control of our circumstances. 5) to rest secure in God's hands knowing that He will abundantly bless us as we faithfully serve Him.

In the Book of Zechariah it is clear that God expects sincere worship and moral living of both his people then and his people today. Zechariah's example of breaking through national prejudice reminds us to reach out into all areas of our society. We must extent God's invitation to salvation to people of all national origins, languages, races and cultures.

God is not pleased when we do not obey His commands. He will repay those who disregard Him. As for God hating divorce (2:16), God takes the covenant of marriage seriously and He does not want it broken. We are to stay true to the spouse of our youth for a lifetime. God sees our hearts so He knows what our intentions are, nothing can be hidden from Him. He will return and He will be the judge. But if we return to Him, He will return to us 
(Malachi 3:6).