Zephaniah & Haggai
A Vital Message
As we move on to our next Minor Prophets, we officially come across Zephaniah and Haggai. These two books like many of the Minor Prophets are just a few chapters long but certainly pack a punch. Zephaniah is just 3 chapters long while Haggai is only 2 chapters long. Even though both of these books are very short, their messages are unique and reveal to us the perfect nature of our Lord and the fallen nature of mankind. The book of Haggai specifically discusses the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem and how God’s people have been mistreating the Lord and His house. The Britannica even says about Haggai, “He believed that the economic distress of the people was caused by their negligent delay in starting the construction and that Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah under Darius, was God’s chosen Davidic representative.” Zephaniah on the other hand has more of a prophetic view of the future for all of mankind and not just the current nation of Israel like Daniel. Both of these prophets have great lessons to teach us, even if the lessons are admittedly not learned in a very ideal fashion. With this in mind, let’s dive in.
A Rough Comparison
To start, God’s prophecy to Zephaniah is a heavy one, to say the least. Sure all of God’s judgmental prophecies are hard to swallow, but God describes His discipline in such a great light in this book, that He starts by reminding Zephaniah that He will one day end the world. Zephaniah 1:2-4 says, “I will completely remove all things From the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. “I will remove human and animal life; I will remove the birds of the sky And the fish of the sea, And the ruins along with the wicked; And I will eliminate mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. “So I will stretch out My hand against Judah And against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And I will eliminate the remnant of Baal from this place, And the names of the idolatrous priests along with the other priests.” Imagine living in a nation that is so overwhelmed by idolatry that the only thing God can compare your coming punishment to is the end of the world…Sometimes it seems like we don’t have to imagine too hard to see this happening. God continues His prophecy to Zephaniah in chapter 2 where He reminds him that the enemies of God’s people will also be punished so seek the Lord while you still can. Just like many of the other prophets were told, God will use evil nations to judge His people and yet, those evil nations won’t go unpunished either. Zephaniah 2:3 states, “Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have practiced His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will remain hidden On the day of the LORD’S anger.” This is the true hope of every Christ follower who lives in a sinful world. Yes, God will come one day and put an end to the very evil world that we know of, but those who are saved by Christ will remain hidden on the day of the Lord. We who have been saved and rescued because of the sacrifice of Jesus have no need to fear the eternal punishment that awaits those who have rejected God on the day of the Lord. Sure we may suffer temporarily on this earth in the meantime, but when we pass from this world to the next, we will await eternity in the glory of God rather than eternity in the wrath of God.
The Temple of God
The book of Haggai actually doesn’t have to do with the punishment of God’s people but rather the building up of God’s temple which has been desolate for years. The Lord begins by telling us in Haggai 1:2-5 “This is what the LORD of armies says: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”’ Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,“Is it time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses while this house remains desolate?” Now then, the LORD of armies says this: “Consider your ways!” What a powerful message from God to wake up His people. Sometimes all we need as a wakeup call is to be asked a painfully obvious question and then realize that this answer does not match how we live. This is exactly how God confronts His people here. How can you worry about your own personal house while the House of God remains desolate? This is a pretty straightforward question that would humble you really quickly.
Thankfully, it doesn’t take long for Haggai and the nation of Israel to respond to God and get to rebuilding His house. Once this temple was rebuilt, God certainly noticed and encouraged His people to do so. While so many other prophet letters focus on the punishment that God’s people deserve, look at how the end of Haggai contrasts this theme. Haggai 2:22-23 tells us, “I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, every one by the sword of another. ‘On that day,’ declares the LORD of armies, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,’” declares the LORD of armies.” It really is a beautiful thing when nations humble themselves, repent, and serve the Lord just as they were designed to do. Now I know that we may still be waiting for our nation to do the same, but let’s not forget to serve the Lord with our own lives, even when those around us don’t. I hope and pray that the books of Zephaniah and Haggai encourage you to do just that.
Sources
[1] Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/
[2] The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1998, July 20). The Book of Haggai | Hebrew Prophecy, Minor Prophet, Restoration. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Book-of-Haggai
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