Ezr 5:1-2, At that time THE PROPHETS HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH SON OF IDDO PROPHESIED TO THE JEWS IN JUDAH AND JERUSALEM. … Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Jeshua son of Jehozadak RESPONDED BY STARTING AGAIN TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE OF GOD IN JERUSALEM.
The foundation was laid, yet they were forced to stop! The people had grown comfortable leaving the work of GOD to the side!
Hag 1:4-5, “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? … LOOK AT WHAT’S HAPPENING TO YOU!
The Jews were working for themselves, BUT NOT FOR GOD! THEY BUILT HOMES, PLANTED GRAIN, YET DIDN’T PROSPER AT ALL!
Hag 1:6-8, You have planted much BUT HARVEST LITTLE. You eat BUT ARE NOT SATISFIED. You drink BUT ARE STILL THIRSTY. You put on clothes BUT CANNOT KEEP WARM. YOUR WAGES DISAPPEAR AS THOUGH YOU WERE PUTTING THEM IN POCKETS FILLED WITH HOLES! “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! NOW GO UP INTO THE HILLS, BRING DOWN TIMBER, AND REBUILD MY HOUSE. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, SAYS THE LORD.
Zec 1:3, Therefore, say to the people, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: RETURN TO ME, AND I WILL RETURN TO YOU, SAYS THE LORD OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES.’
The work on the temple re-started and both Haggai and Zechariah helped!
Ezr 5:3,5, But Tattenai, governor of the province …, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO REBUILD THIS TEMPLE AND RESTORE THIS STRUCTURE?” …BUT BECAUSE THEIR GOD WAS WATCHING OVER THEM, the leaders of the JEWS WERE NOT PREVENTED FROM BUILDING until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision.
INSTANTLY HOSTILITY TO THE WORK CAME BACK, YET THEY DIDN’T STOP! WE KNOW THAT GOD WATCHES OVER US; WE DON’T WORK FOR THE GOVERNOR, BUT FOR GOD! IT’S TIME WE GET TO WORK AGAIN FOR THE TIME IS SHORT AND MANY SOULS ARE IN NEED OF HIM!