Lessons from the life of Haggai, Zechariah & Malachi College and Beyond

Old testament overview and history

THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS THE LAW (5) Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy HISTORY (12) Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther POETRY & WISDOM (5) Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs THE MAJOR PROPHETS (5) Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel THE MINOR PROPHETS (12) Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS

Chronology of the History Books

Chronology of the Persian Period PERSIAN KING DATES BIBLICAL CORRELATION CYRUS 539-530 Return of Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Ezra 1-3) CAMBYSES 530-522 Rebuilding at Jerusalem stopped (Ezra 4) DARIUS I 522-486 Haggai and Zechariah prophesy (520) Temple Completed (516) (Ezra 5-6) XERXES 486-464 Story of Esther (Esther 1-9) ARTAXERXES I 464-423 Return of Ezra (458) (Ezra 7-10) Return of Nehemiah (445) (Nehemiah (1-2) Prophecy of Malachi (433)  

THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS THE LAW (5) Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy HISTORY (12) Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther POETRY & WISDOM (5) Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs THE MAJOR PROPHETS (5) Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel THE MINOR PROPHETS (12) Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi THE OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS

Chronology of the Prophets TO ISRAEL TO JUDAH TO FOREIGN NATION ASSYRIAN AGE Amos ca. 760 Hosea ca. 760-730 Isaiah ca. 740-700 Micah ca. 737-690 Jonah ca. 770 BABYLONIAN AGE Habakkuk ca. 630 Zephaniah ca. 627 Jeremiah ca. 627-580 Daniel ca. 605-530 Ezekiel ca. 593-570 Nahum ca. 650 PERSIAN AGE Haggai ca. 520 Zechariah ca. 520-518 Joel ca. 500 Malachi ca. 433 Obadiah ca. 500

Chronology of the Persian Period PERSIAN KING DATES BIBLICAL CORRELATION CYRUS 539-530 Return of Zerubbabel and Jeshua (Ezra 1-3) CAMBYSES 530-522 Rebuilding at Jerusalem stopped (Ezra 4) DARIUS I 522-486 Haggai and Zechariah prophesy (520) Temple Completed (516) (Ezra 5-6) XERXES 486-464 Story of Esther (Esther 1-9) ARTAXERXES I 464-423 Return of Ezra (458) (Ezra 7-10) Return of Nehemiah (445) (Nehemiah (1-2) Prophecy of Malachi (433)  

CYRUS 539-530 Ezra 1-4:5,24 CAMBYSES 530-522 ARTAXERXES 464-424 Ezra 4:7-23 Ezra 7-10 DARIUS 522-486 Ezra 5-6 XERXES 486-464 Ezra 4:6 False accusations files 530 520 510 500 490 480 470 460 600 538 Temple project begun 536 Work on stopped 605 Nebuchadnezzar Ransacks Jeruselum 597 Nebuchad. attacks Jeruselum; clears Temple, takes everything; 1st Deportation 586 2nd Deportation, Nebuchadnezzarr burns Temple to ground 582 3rd Deportation 516 Completed 458 Return of Ezra 433 Prophecy of Malachi 445 Return of Nehemiah Story of Esther 520 Work on Temple resumed by Zerubbabel & Joshua, encouraged by Haggai & Zechariah; Haggai & Zechariah Prophesy 539 Zerubbabel & Jeshua

Haggai

Haggai Outline I. Appeal to rebuild the Temple 1:1-15 A. The summons 1:1-11 B. The beginning of work 1:12-15 II. The glory of the temple 2:1-9 III. Promise and Prediction 2:10-19 A. Holiness and uncleanness 2:10-14 B. A Promise for better times 2:15-19 IV. A Messianic oracle about Zerubbabel 2:20-23

Ezra 5:1-2 When the prophets, Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them, 2 then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak arose and began to rebuild the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them supporting them.

Haggai Zechariah Darius Hystaspes Cyrus Xerxes Artaxerxes I 539 BC 516 BC 458 BC 444 BC Babylon Falls & Jews allowed to return to the Land Temple Completed Return under Ezra in the 4th Year of Artaxerxes I Return under Nehemiah Haggai Zechariah Cambyses Darius Hystaspes Cyrus Xerxes Artaxerxes I KINGS OF PERSIA

Outline

“Consider your ways…” The people had a problem with priorities: Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate? (1:4). The people were experiencing a dissatisfaction: You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes (1:6).

“Consider your ways…” The people were more concerned with their own comforts than with the glory of the Lord: “Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the LORD (1:8).

Encouragement Encouraged by the Presence of God: “But now take courage, Zerubbabel,” declares the LORD, “take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,” declares the LORD, “and work; for I am with you,” says the LORD of hosts. 5 As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear! (2:4-5).

Encouragement Encouraged by the Power of God: For thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all the nations (2:6-7).

Encouragement Encouraged by the Possessions of God: “And I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations; and I will fill this house with glory,” says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,” declares the LORD of hosts (2:7-8). Encouraged by the Peace of God: “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,” says the LORD of hosts, “and in this place I shall give peace,” declares the LORD of hosts (2:9).

Zechariah

Eight Visions Two Sermons Two Burdens 1:1 Eight Visions Four Horsemen 1:18 Horns and Smiths: Judgment 2:1 Measuring Line: Flee Babylon 3:1 Joshua the High Priest 4:1 Zerubbabel & the Lampstand 5:1 Flying Scroll: Judgment 5:5 Woman and Basket: Shinar 6:1 Four Chariots 7:1 Two Sermons A Call for True Justice 8:1 A Promise of Future Restoration 9:1 Two Burdens Judgment on Enemies of Israel 12:1 The Coming of the Lord

Zechariah 1:1-4 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah the prophet, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo saying, 2 "The LORD was very angry with your fathers. Therefore say to them, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return to Me," declares the LORD of hosts, "that I may return to you," says the LORD of hosts. 4 Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed, saying, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Return now from your evil ways and from your evil deeds."' But they did not listen or give heed to Me," declares the LORD.

Zechariah Lessons The Lord wants people to come to him. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Return to me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of hosts”(1:3). The fact that God was pleading with these people shows us that he wants people to come to him. The Lord is not a cruel God who wants people to be lost, but he wants people to be saved. Peter said, “[The Lord is] not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

Zechariah Lessons The Lord removes guilt. “I will remove the guilt of this land in a single day” (3:9). “On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (13:1). Not only does God want people to be saved, but he is able to do something about it. God can remove guilt. All one must do is turn to God in faith and obedience and his guilt will be removed.

Zechariah Lessons The Lord does not hear the prayers of the rebellious. “Just as, when I called, they would not hear, so, when they called, I would not hear, says the LORD of hosts”(7:13). These people would not listen to the Word of God; therefore, God would not listen to their words. They called out to God, but because they were rebellious God would not honor their prayers. This does not mean that God could not hear their prayers; it means that he would not honor their prayers; he would not answer them. God does not hear the prayers of those living in rebellion.

Zechariah Lessons The Lord does what he has promised. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Just as I purposed to bring disaster upon you, when you ancestors provoked me to wrath, and I did not relent, says the LORD of hosts, so again I have purposed in these days to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; do not be afraid” (8:14-15). God promised to bring disaster, and he did so. He planned to do good in Jerusalem, and he did so. God still does what he has promised. God promised to save those who obey, and he will. God promised to destroy the world with fire, and he will. God keeps his promises.

Zechariah Lessons The Lord protects his people. “The LORD of hosts will protect them, and they shall devour and tread down the slingers; they shall drink their blood like wine, and be full like a bowl, drenched like the corners of the altar” (9:15). When oppressors came, God would stand with his people and protect them. The oppressors could not prevail, for God was with his people. Today, God still protects his people. We cannot be tempted beyond our ability (1 Cor. 10:13). The Lord’s enemies cannot win (Rev. 17:14).

Zechariah Lessons The Lord hates false teaching. “If any prophets appear again, their fathers and mothers who bore them will say to them, ‘You shall not live, for you speak lies in the name of the LORD’; and their fathers and their mothers who bore them shall pierce them through when they prophesy” (13:3). Here God shows the fate of false prophets--their parents would kill them. God does not wink at the teaching of those who lead his people astray. God hates false teaching. We need to understand that God hates false teaching today.

Zechariah 6:12-13 "Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. 13 Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne. Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices."'

Fulfilled in Jesus His name is Branch He will “branch out” (6:12) He will build the Temple (6:13) He will rule (6:13) He will be both priest and king (6:13). Those who are far off will come and build the Temple (6:15)

Messianic Prophecies The Triumphal Entry: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).

Messianic Prophecies Silver and the Potter's House: And I said to them, "If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!" So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages. 13 Then the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter, that magnificent price at which I was valued by them." So I took the thirty shekels of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD (Zechariah 11:12-13).

Messianic Prophecies The One who was Pierced: And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born (Zechariah 12:10).

Messianic Prophecies The Striking of the Shepherd: "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, And against the man, My Associate," Declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd that the sheep may be scattered; And I will turn My hand against the little ones." (Zechariah 13:7).

Zechariah Conclusion Zechariah says much about God, his nature, and what he expects from his people.

Malachi

Outline God's love for Israel and her unfaithful response (1-2) The Day of the Lord and the purging of Israel (3-4)

Malachi 2:16 The book of Malachi asks God seven questions.  Those questions are: “How has thou loved us?” (1:2);   “How have we despised thy name?” (1:6);   “How have we polluted it [the altar]?” (1:7);   “How have we wearied him?” (2:17);   “How shall we return?” (3:7);  “How are we robbing thee?” (318);   “How have we spoken against thee?” (3:13).  

Malachi 2:16 The book of Malachi also has several important lessons for modern man: 1. God will destroy the wicked (1:4).  2. God deserves honor (1:6). 3. God doesn’t approve of vain worship (1:6-7). 4. God would rather we not worship than worship improperly (1:10). 5. God’s name is great (1:11).

Malachi 2:16 6. God only accepts our best worship (1:14) 7. God created man (2:10) 8. God expects men to be faithful to their wives (2:14) 9. God hates divorce (2:16). 10. God prepares his paths (3:1).         

Malachi 2:16 11. God’s judgment will be swift (3:5). 12. God does not change (3:6) 13. God expects people to give generously (3:8). 14. God blesses those who give generously (3:10) 15. God will spare from wrath those who serve him (3:17). 16. God will punish the arrogant and all evildoers (4:1).

Questions