In Ezra, chapter five, verse two, the rebuilding of the temple was undertaken through the godly leadership of Zerubbabel and Jeshua. However, the two additional contributing factors in the successful restoration of God’s house. The ministry and revelation of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were influential in seeing the project through to completion despite of many obstacles and setbacks. God’s work always requires the participation of God’s prophets to realize His holy purpose for any given generation.
The dedication of the elders and the people was another element, as in verses five and eight and chapter seven, verse twenty-three of Ezra. Instead of being apathetic, of taking the challenge casually, they pursued the task with great diligence, and God prospered the work of their hands. God’s kingdom advances through the words and actions of committed leaders and people who, by working together, give themselves to God’s purpose for their generation.
Haggai’s preaching addresses to these two leaders, as in Haggai one, verse one, and their spirit was especially “stirred up” by his preaching. The prophets of God – Haggai and Zechariah – were with them throughout their work, helping them and that in various ways. By direct command to the people, “Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house,” as in Haggai one, verse eight. By warnings, “Because of mine house that is waste… therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit,” as in verses nine to ten. By exhortations, “Be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be ye strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work,” Haggai two, verse four. By encouraging prophecy, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it,” as in Zechariah four, verse nine, and “the glory of this latter house shall be greater than that of the former, saith the Lord of Hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts,” in Haggai two, verse nine. By these and similar means, the two prophets aroused a spirit of enthusiasm, which caused the work to make rapid progress and was an invaluable assistance.