Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

Introduction

The last three books of the Old Testament are the only prophetic books that were written after the exile. Thus the focus in Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi shifts from the destruction of Jerusalem (or survival in Babylon) to the rebuilding of God’s holy city.

Ultimately, however, the message of each of the prophets is on the person and purpose of God. In each of these prophetic books, we can find one or more significant attributes of God to be lifted high:

Haggai: The Encouraging Immanence of God Zechariah: The Engaging Jealousy of God Malachi: The Enduring Immutability of God

Jonathan Edwards was once seen walking through a park, gazing intently at a gem stone which he held toward the sky. When asked what he was doing, he explained that he liked to focus on the cut rock, with all of its brilliance, to inspire wonder about the varied attributes of God. In the same way, we can ponder these three final minor prophetic books to sharpen our focus on the marvelous facets of God’s character.

Haggai: The Encouraging Immanence of God

Haggai’s ministry was one of exhortation and encouragement. God called Haggai to stir up the Jews that they might rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. In 538 BC, Cyrus of Persia gave the Jews permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild their temple, fulfilling the prophecy of Jeremiah (; see also ; ). Approximately 50,000 Jews made the arduous jour- ney home and commenced the work. In two years, they completed the foundation and had a great celebration (). The Samaritans and other neighboring peoples became con- cerned about these efforts to revive the Jewish state and began to oppose the work. They man- aged to force the Jews to give up their ambitions for 15 long years.

Finally, in 520 BC, two years after Darius the Great became king of Persia, Haggai arose to preach. (Haggai is the second shortest shortest book in the Old Testament. Obadiah is the shortest.) The messages of this prophet had far-reaching effects. During a short four-month interval, the prophet stirred the dying embers of hope in the hearts of the Jews and kindled a flame of enthusiasm for the plans of God. Haggai’s preaching was supplemented by that of Zechariah, and the temple was completed and dedicated in the span of four years. Hosea was inspired by God to record four of his messages (; , , ), each focusing on God’s immanence, God’s personal closeness to the people. The sense of God’s nearness strengthened resolve in the people’s hearts.

Should not we, who have heard the story of the Savior’s love and who are offered the infilling of God’s Holy Spirit, find even more encouragement through the knowledge of God’s nearness than did the Jew’s of long ago? The pages of this book sparkle with jewels of insight into the ever-present help of God—gems that seem wasted until they are picked up, dusted off, and treasured by us.

Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion...’”

Zechariah: The Engaging Jealousy of God

Zechariah, like Jeremiah and Ezekiel, was a priest called to the ministry of prophet. He be- gan prophesying as a young man, standing along side the elderly Haggai. Zechariah began to prophesy before Haggai’s four months of ministry was complete and continued to preach to the people for three years.

Not only were the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah blended, but their messages were simi- lar. Both called God’s people to complete the job of rebuilding the temple. Zechariah, however, wrote with a poetic style, and his book includes apocalyptic-style visions and revelations. More striking yet are Zechariah’s descriptions of the Almighty God. In the opening vision, God informs the prophet, “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion…” (). In the close of the first half of the book, God repeats and strengthens His statement: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her” ().

The concept of a jealous God catches our attention. When a person is jealous, he or she may be moved to actions or measures otherwise thought improbable or impossible. What can we expect once God becomes jealous?

Our Lord Jesus, once stirred to great zeal (the same root word from which comes the word jeal- ousy), purged the temple of oxen, sheep, and money changers with a whip in His hand and rage in His heart. Then His disciples remembered the words of the prophet, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (). If the encouragement of Haggai stirred the people to re-initiate their building program, the jealousy of God as proclaimed by Zechariah would be needed to moti- vate them to complete the job. We can broadly summarize the book as follows:

• The Reasons for God’s Jealousy ()

• The Results of God’s Jealousy ()

Ultimately God’s jealous love for His people would be revealed in Christ, portrayed in the Bible as the Bridegroom for the Church, His bride. It is not surprising to learn that Zechariah proph- esied more about the person and ministry of Christ than any other prophet, outside Isaiah. Here we find Christ the Branch (), the Servant (), the Good Shepherd (; ), and the Smitten Shepherd (). Zechariah further describes our Lord’s coming in lowliness (), His humanity (), His triumphal entry (), His rejection and betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (), His pierced hands (), His ministry as priest () and king (; ; ), His glorious return (), and His eternal reign of peace ().

Malachi: The Enduring Immutability of God

Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, acts as a bridge into the era of the New Testa- ment. It provides God’s last word of recorded revelation before the 400 year gap of silence that preceded the appearing of Christ. Malachi, whose name means “my messenger,” describes the coming of the messenger Elijah (). The New Testament opens with the arrival of

“See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day

of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the chil- dren to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

John the Baptist, in the spirit and power of Elijah, as a specific fulfillment of this prophecy (). Malachi’s final statement was about God’s possible curse (). The final word of the New Testament was about God’s promised grace ().

The book of Malachi is not only last in the list of Old Testament books in our modern Bibles but is generally accepted as the last Old Testament book to be written. The temple was finished after the prophetic stirrings of Haggai and Zechariah, in 516 BC. In 458 BC, the community of faith was supported by the return of several thousand more Jews, along with Ezra the priest. Thirteen years later, the Persian king permitted Nehemiah to return as well, to guide the re- building of the walls (). Nehemiah also challenged the people toward holy liv- ing, demanding they end their mixed marriages, give God the full tithe, keep the Sabbath, and help the poor (; ; ). In 433, Nehemiah returned to the Persian King. During his absence, the people fell into the same sins once again. Nehemiah returned a second time to rebuke them and set things right (). We find Malachi rebuking the peo- ple for the same kinds of sin and spiritual degradation (; ; ).

It is likely that Malachi began his work sometime after Nehemiah’s second reform, more than a century after the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah. It is as though the people assumed that, given enough time, God’s attributes change. Throughout the book, Malachi addresses seven questions asked by the people—all of which call to question God’s enduring, immutable char- acter (,,; ; , , and 13). Perhaps the central message of this book is best sum- marized by God’s own defense: “I the Lord do not change” ().

Final Thought

The Jews of this time period were called to rebuild the Jerusalem temple. We are called to build up the Church, the new temple, made of living stones (). When we lack strength and vision, we too need to remember Haggai’s message that God is with us. When we become self- ish and comprise, we do well to recall Zechariah’s message regarding God’s jealousy for His church, His bride (). And if we doubt the relevance of these prophetic books for our time, we need only to recall Malachi’s teachings on the unchanging nature of our God. As with God’s people of long ago, many prophetic reminders about the immanence, jealousy, and immutability of God inspire us to obey Jesus as He builds the Church, eagerly awaiting His return!

Spending Time With God

This lesson, in the series on “God’s Attributes in Focus,” is designed to supplement your personal and small group Bible study. Devotion questions are for your personal study. Discussion ques- tions are for small groups. Members who answer the questions ahead of time can bring more insight into their small group meeting. The digging deeper questions are for those who wish for more personal or small group study. As you spend time with God, may His Word enrich your life and enhance your daily walk with Him. BEFORE YOU BEGIN, PRAY.

Devotion (Personal Study)

1. Read the commentary portion of this study guide. Write down one insight that was especially challenging or encourag- ing for you.

2. Read . How did the prophet motivate the people to get busy and build the house of God?

Do these verses challenge you in any way to be more serious about supporting the ministries and building of your local church? Explain.

3. See . The people were rebuilding the temple of God on its old foundation. Those who remembered the old temple wept as they realized the rebuilt version would be smaller and plainer than the original. What did Haggai prom- ise in Haggai 6-9?

In what way might these promises point to the Church of today or to the coming kingdom of God?

4. In , Paul tells us that those who believe in Christ are God’s modern-day temples. Read -

20. What commands and guidelines for living do you find in this text, based on the notion that God dwells in us?

5. Pray the following prayer and record any insights you receive from the Lord: “God, I am your temple and You should be at home in me. Please reveal any dark corners in the rooms of my heart and flood every part of my being with Your light and peace.”

Discussion (Small Group Study)

6. Read . Note God’s emotions as expressed in

this text.

a. In , God is jealous. As one who is made in the “image of God,” how do you think our jealousy differs from God’s jealousy?

b. Do you think God is as jealous for His people today (See also )? Explain.

c. What other emotions are expressed by God in ? Do you typically think of God in this way? Why or why not?

7. The first six chapters of Zechariah contain eight different vi- sions, rich with meaning for those who understand the context and symbolism. Chapter 4, for example, was given to encour- age Zerubbabel, the civil leader for God’s people as they rebuilt Jerusalem.

a. Read . How might this verse be applied to the challenges you face in work and ministry today?

b. Can you describe a situation in which you learned the impor- tance of dependence on the Holy Spirit?

8. The last several chapters of Zechariah speak prophetically about the future. See, for example, .

a. Compare with . What do these verses suggest will happen among Jews when Christ re- turns again?

b. Do you have any Jewish friends with whom you have tried to explain the role of Christ in their destiny and salvation?

How did they respond?

Do you have suggestions for telling Jews about Jesus? Take a few minutes to pray for those about whom you have special concern.

Digging Deeper (Further Study)

9. Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, is packed with

insight.

a. 📷Compare1 with0. Who is described here?

None of Christ’s disciples were prefigured in the Old Testa- ment; why do you think God highlighted this individual?

b. Compare with and 17:10-12. Why do you think God connected these two figures?

Can you draw parallels between John the Baptist and Elijah? (much of Elijah’s story is found in .)