Haggai 2:20-23
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Remember how I said Haggai was a Christmas story when we started this book? It is! It’s also an Easter story, and not to feel left out; it gives us a LOT OF REASONS TO GIVE THANKS! (Speaking of- come Wednesday night! Bring a friend!)
REPLICATE DISCIPLE’S JOURNAL- IF YOU WILL USE IT, PLEASE TAKE IT! (EXPLAIN IT). TAKE A THANK YOU NOTE OR THREE TO WRITE FOR TEACHERS AT CARRIE BUSEY. We need them back December 1.
December in Luke (starting December 1)
There’s really 2 things we’ve seen a lot of in Haggai- Renewal of Israel’s faith and walk with God and then promises from God!
And these two things matter a lot for us! WE NEED TO BE RENEWED IN OUR WALK WITH GOD! WE NEED TO HUNGER FOR GOD EVERY SINGLE DAY! OUR LIVES NEED TO BE BUILT OFF OF A BURNING DESIRE; AN ENCOMPASSING FIRE- if you will- TO SEE GOD’S NAME SPREAD ALL THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND AROUND THE WORLD TO EVERY NATION, TRIBE AND TONGUE!
We also need the promises of God! See, life can be hard! And it’s in those hard times that we can CLING TO GOD’S PROMISES! And not just that- the promises of God SPUR US ON as we serve the LORD!
There’s been many promises that we have seen. (As a short list: I am with you, I will shake the nations, I will bless you)
Main Point: The promise to Zerubbabel is a promise to our world!
Main Point: The promise to Zerubbabel is a promise to our world!
Body
Body
20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
Throughout Haggai, we see specific dates for when God speaks to Haggai.
Here we see that God speaks to HAGGAI AGAIN on the 24th day of the 9th month. This is taking place in December. The 24th day of the 9th month falls on December 25th this year.
I think that’s fitting for what we are going to be seeing today!
Now, let me just remind us- a prophet doesn’t get to choose WHEN God speaks, WHAT GOD SAYS, or WHERE THEY ARE TO GO! A prophet’s job is to speak when God tells them to, to say what God tells them to say and to go wherever God tells them to go!
A prophet was given a message from God and was expected to FAITHFULLY TAKE IT ON BEHALF OF GOD TO THE PEOPLE GOD SENT THEM TO!
This is why Jonah is a not-great prophet! He doesn’t want to OBEY GOD!
God is speaking to Haggai a second time on the same day as what we saw in Haggai 2:10-19!
God has seen the repentance of the Israelites and as he reminds them in Haggai 2:19, “From this day on I will bless you.”
GOD PROMISES TO BLESS THE ISRAELITES! Remember- God has been talking with them about their defilement; so when we saw that promise, we saw GOD’S GRACE! And God’s GRACE IS GOING TO CARRY OVER TO OUR PASSAGE TODAY!
Today we are going to see God make a SPECIFIC promise to Zerubbabel, who has faithfully led the people of Israel as they’ve repented and renewed their walk with God!
Haggai 2:21-22
Haggai 2:21-22
21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword.
I want you to notice what is going on here- God sends Haggai to Zerubbabel with a prophecy.
God speaks to Zerubbabel about what GOD is going to do!
God addresses him with three distinct parts.
First, God speaks about the heavens and the earth.
God is going to SHAKE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH! This s the THIRD TIME THAT GOD MAKES THIS PROMISE! (Haggai 2:6-7)
THE LORD OF ARMIES, as God has so often been called is going to SHAKE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY!
The LORD OF ARMIES IS GOING TO USE HIS POWER TO SHOW THE EARTH WHO IS IN CHARGE!
To put this another way- GOD IS GOING TO CLEARLY MOVE!
Remember- the greatest fear of the Israelites when they were in exile and returning from exiles was that God was either NOT powerful enough to protect them; or that GOD HAD ABANDONED THEM!
In Haggai 2:19 God makes clear that HE HAS NOT ABANDONED ISRAEL and now in Haggai 2:21 God makes clear that HE IS ALL POWERFUL!
God is saying, “Zerubbabel and Israelites and all who hear this- I AM SOVEREIGN AND POWERFUL!”
I mentioned how the LORD OF ARMIES has been the title often given to God in Haggai.
It was a title that reminded the people that GOD WAS SOVEREIGN OVER ALL THINGS!
This was a theme throughout the post-exilic prophets; or the prophets of God who came AFTER THE EXILE!
There’s something really cool we can learn from that title that is ALSO made clear in God’s declaration about shaking the heavens and the earth.
We see not only God’s immense power, but also how GOD IS WITH US!
God knows the doubts and the fears of HIS PEOPLE AND GOD MEETS THEM IN IT!
GOD DOESN’T JUST CONDEMN THE ISRAELITES FOR THEIR LACK OF FAITH; instead, God REAFFIRMS that He is in control!
God is speaking to the Israelites here not only as the LORD OF ARMIES, but also as FATHER!
He’s speaking to Zerubbabel as A TENDER FATHER who loves Zerubbabel!
It can be easy when we read the minor prophets to see God as STERN and ANGRY, but don’t miss this! God is JUST AND HAS CALLED HIS PEOPLE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND GOD LOVES AS A FATHER; FULL OF GRACE!
The second prophecy God gives is that God will overturn Royal Thrones and that God will DESTROY THE POWER OF THE GENTILE KINGDOMS!
God continues to show his sovereignty and mirrors Haggai 2:7 more with this promise.
God promises to show his power and that he has not abandoned Israel.
Remember- at this time, Israel has returned from exile where they were ruled over by the gentile kingdoms.
God is continuing this theme by saying- ISRAEL, YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDONED!
But further, God is reaffirming a promise to Zerubbabel that was made to his forefather David.
15 But my faithful love will never leave him as it did when I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and kingdom will endure before me forever, and your throne will be established forever.’ ”
God NEVER removes his love from this line- even as they are in exile as a result of their sin! God NEVER ends this line- even as they lead the people away from God! And now God reminds ZERUBBABEL THAT THE THRONE OF DAVID WILL BE REESTABLISHED!
As Zerubbabel hears these prophecies he should remember the Davidic covenant that is made to his forefathers and that HE IS A PART OF!
The third prophecy that God gives is that “horses and riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword.”
Let me be clear on something- when God talks about “horses and riders” he is talking about the power of man.
He is talking about the attempts of kings to rule and to be large and in charge!
God is saying that it WILL NOT WORK!
Another way to look at it would be this- God is not going to let evil kings and rulers reign forever!
For the Israelite people; for someone like Zerubbabel, it had to feel like God had left HIM ALONE while he watched these evil kings- and remember- Darius was an extremely evil king- attacking one another and ruling over him!
Yet, God is making clear- they aren’t in charge; I am.
This is a really powerful statement!
God is making ABUNDANTLY CLEAR TO ZERUBBABEL THAT HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN THE PROMISE TO THE LINE OF DAVID!
God is essentially reaffirming this promise and is DECLARING TO Zerubbabel what is to come.
Let’s see what God has to say in verse 23!
Haggai 2:23
Haggai 2:23
23 On that day”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Armies—“I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies.
God begins to make this prophecy very specific to ZERUBBABEL!
God says that this day is coming. And on this SPECIFIC DAY, God is going to do something else.
God makes Zerubbabel a promise. Promises have been a big theme throughout Haggai! Haggai 2:4 contains a promise from God that HE IS WITH THEM!
Haggai 2:9 promises SHALOM, or completeness! Haggai 2:19 contained the promise for their provision.
God is going giving ANOTHER PROMISE in Haggai 2:23!
Let me be clear- this promise is TO ZERUBBABEL, but it is not ONLY FOR ZERUBBABEL!
God’s promise is simple- “Zerubbabel, you are my servant and I will make you my signet ring, for I have chosen you.”
A signet ring was used to stamp a seal on an important document or on a law. They were used by kings, but if you were given the signet ring, you were seen as HAVING LOTS OF POWER!
And now God is saying that Zerubbabel is going to be like GOD’S SIGNET RING!
So you might be thinking, “When did this happen? When did Israel conquer and when did Zerubbabel become king?”
Well, none of this is fulfilled in Zerubbabel’s lifetime. This prophecy isn’t really about Zerubbabel. Instead, it’s about his LINE, much like the Davidic covenant is about David’s line more than it is about DAVID as an individual.
See, Zerubbabel may never have seemed like he had ALL OF GOD’S POWER AND AUTHORITY, but someone in his line did.
Let’s think about Matthew 1 for a minute. In Matthew 1 there are 14 generations between the exile of Israel and one of the best things EVERY! Matthew 1:12-16
12 After the exile to Babylon
Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel,
Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel,
13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud,
Abiud fathered Eliakim,
Eliakim fathered Azor,
14 Azor fathered Zadok,
Zadok fathered Achim,
Achim fathered Eliud,
15 Eliud fathered Eleazar,
Eleazar fathered Matthan,
Matthan fathered Jacob,
16 and Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary,
who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.
Do you notice that set of names in verse 12? Jeconiah- who was king of Israel and a descedant of David has a son- Shealtiel. Shealtiel has a son- ZERUBBABEL!
ZERUBBABEL IS IN THE MESSIANIC LINE! The signet ring prophecy isn’t actually about Zerubbabel, it is about his descendant- JESUS THE MESSIAH!
JESUS WAS GIVEN ALL OF GOD’S POWER AND AUTHORITY! JESUS WAS SENT BY GOD WITH A MISSION! Jesus’s came to seal something- instead of a law; Jesus came to SEAL US FOR SALVATION!
But listen; the tie-in between Haggai 2 and Jesus doesn’t end there!
As much as this is a Christmas story, it’s also an EASTER STORY AND AN EVERY DAY REMINDER OF WHO OUR MESSIAH IS!
Our Messiah who healed, who cast out demons, who LOVED WITH COMPASSION THAT COMPLETELY CONSUMED HIM (MATTHEW 9)…
Let’s look at another one of these prophecies from Haggai 2 that Jesus fulfills.
Jesus was condemned to the cross at the end of his life. It was a BRUTAL thing. I need to make this clear- the Romans were experts at crucifixion.
People had been being crucified for hundreds of years, but it had never been quite like what the Romans did. In fact, the Persians- who ruled over Israel at this time- are sometimes credited with starting crucifixion.
The Romans were masters at making it last as long as possible and at making it as uncomfortable as possible.
And Jesus was condemned to death on the cross NOT because he had committed a crime; but because of the lies of the pharisees, sadducees and the chief priests and scribes!
When Jesus was crucified he was taunted throughout the day. I want to just read us what happened. Matthew 27:45-52
45 From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised.
Do you see what happened? THERE WAS AN EARTHQUAKE!
As Jesus happened THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH SHOOK! GOD SHOOK THEM!
And I’ll tell you what; that is the best news EVER, because this wasn’t just an earthquake!
THE ENTIRE WAY THAT WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD CHANGED!
GOD SHOOK THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH AS THE FINAL GLORY OF THE TEMPLE HAPPENED!
Notice that- the temple curtain was torn. The temple wasn’t needed anymore!
Instead of needing the temple; we can now have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!
Guys, whatever you take away from today, do not miss this- Haggai 2 not only promises OUR SAVIOR, it also literally PROMISES THE EVENTS OF HIS DEATH!
And the story doesn’t end at his death. Instead, the salvation continues on. Because JESUS DID NOT STAY DEAD! INSTEAD, JESUS ROSE FROM THE GRAVE ON THE THIRD DAY WHICH GIVES US SHALOM, or COMPLETENESS WITH GOD!
Our SHALOM IS SEALED NOT BY HUMAN HANDS BUT BY THE SIGNET RING GOD HAS PROMISED THROUGH ZERUBBABEL! THE SIGNET RING HAS SEALED OUR SALVATION!
AND THAT IS ALSO THE FIRST TIME THAT ALL THE NATIONS WERE OVERTURNED! NOW JESUS’S KINGDOM WAS ESTABLISHED!
Second time is Christ’s return! AND WHEN JESUS COMES THAT SECOND TIME EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE!
Cornerstone, this is such a glorious completion to the challenge that the Israelites face in Haggai!
Think about the situation with me! When Haggai first speaks to Zerubbabel and Joshua- the high priest- the people of Israel are building mansions for themselves and are worshipping themselves.
But the book doesn’t end with that. Haggai shows us REVIVAL and points our eyes on something SO MUCH GREATER THAN A TEMPLE!
Haggai may talk about BUILDING a temple, but it’s focus is on BUILDING THIS NEW COVENANT THAT IS PROMISED!
So let’s take some time to apply this great passage where we see God’s promises so clearly!
Application
Application
Causal (God gives us a mission! Rebuild the temple= build the kingdom), Relational (God to Zerrubabel and us), Starving (Gospel truth)
Our Relationship to the Savior (Relational and “starving”)
Our Relationship to the Savior (Relational and “starving”)
Promise of the SIGNET RING!
Like we just talked about- this is about JESUS!
And specifically, this is about how JESUS CAME WITH AUTHORITY!
Jesus’s AUTHORITY was to come and SAVE!
Jesus was given ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH (Matthew 28!) and that included authority over sin!
Jesus didn’t just take that authority and create an empire; Jesus changed our REALITY by giving us a way to be RECONCILED TO GOD!
And let me challenge us- Jesus didn’t just come with AUTHORITY. Jesus came BRINGING RELATIONSHIP!
We are able to be reconciled BY FAITH, which requires a RELATIONSHIP! OUR GOD IS A RELATIONAL GOD! Romans 10:9
9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Let me call on you today to be reconciled to God.
I want to go one step further than this- a theme we’ve seen in Haggai has been this idea of RENEWAL, or of following GOD WITH NEW PASSION.
Let me challenge you today to FOLLOW GOD WITH NEW PASSION!
Example of Zerubbabel and Joshua leading the people with a new focus! That’s what we’ve seen in Haggai! We saw two Godly men who sacrificed their comfort and their popularity in order to LEAD GOD’S PEOPLE TO HIM! WE NEED TO DO THE SAME THING!
Our Response to Haggai (Causal- Missional)
Our Response to Haggai (Causal- Missional)
Mission in Haggai- GO AND REBUILD THE TEMPLE! WORSHIP GOD NOT MAN!
Mission in RESPONSE to Haggai- GO AND BUILD THE KINGDOM OF GOD! Help people understand WHO WE WORSHIP!
Promises in Haggai- Work- I am with you; I will shake the nations; I will provide PEACE AND GLORY IN THIS PLACE; Turn- I will bless you; Wait- I’m sending THE MESSIAH!
Our Response to the Promises- Matthew 28:19-20, God does shake the nations; Romans 5:1; Matthew 5 (Beatitudes- how we live- why we are going to spend the SPRING studying the SERMON ON THE MOUNT); PRAISE AND SPREAD WORD- THE SAVIOR HAS COME!
Haggai gives us an IMPORTANT MISSION AND THEN LIKE WE SAW EARLIER IN HAGGAI, GOD GIVES US PROMISES TO ENCOURAGE US AND TO SHOW US THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE AS WE LIVE OUT THIS MISSION!
PRACTICAL:
Who’s your one?
We have to be people who GO! WE CAN’T STAY PUT! WE HAVE TO BE PEOPLE WHO GO!
Let me also challenge us- set a tone in your life by taking ACTION TO RESPOND TO GOD!
Let your walk with God be renewed like we just talked about! Embrace the RELATIONSHIP!
DON’T DELAY- RESPOND RIGHT NOW AS NATHAN AND OUR WORSHIP TEAM LEADS US IN SINGING!
