God used these men to confront and comfort his people after their return to their homeland from exile in Babylon.
Ministered to: Zerubbabel, Joshua
Main Message:
Encouraged the leaders and the people to continue rebuilding the Temple, which God would bless
Challenged the people’s careless worship, which God would not bless
Significance: Disobedience and careless obedience of God’s commands lead to judgment.
Ministered to: Zerubbabel, Joshua
Main Message:
Emphasized God’s command to rebuild his Temple
Gave the people another look at God’s plan to bless the world through Israel and its coming King—the Messiah (9:9, 10)
Significance: Encouragement for today’s effort sometimes requires that we remember God has a plan and purpose for tomorrow. Meanwhile the challenge is to live for him today.
Ministered to: The priests are the only leaders mentioned
Main Message: Confronted the people and priests with God’s promises of judgment on those who reject him and God’s blessing on those who live as he desires
Significance: God expects our obedience to him to affect our attitude toward him and our treatment of one another.