In today’s section, we read about:
The prophecy of Habakkuk, with starts with complaints to God, but who comes round to seeing things from God’s point of view
The prophecy of Zephaniah, with coruscating criticism of Judah, but ends with the promise of God’s redemption
The prophecy of Haggai, which urges Zerubbabel to get on with the re-building of the Temple
The first part of Zechariah’s prophecy, with outlandish visions: the man in the myrtles with the four coloured horses; the lamp stand and the two olive trees; a flying scroll; a woman in a basket; the four chariots
A call to justice and mercy, judgment on Israel’s enemies and the promise of future blessings
The coming of Zion’s king, and the promise of restoration for God’s people
Some thoughts that occurred to me:
Habakkuk starts with a spoilt brat’s moan to God, “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen!” (1:2), and in the second complaint, there is disbelief that God’s judgment is not directed against these pagan nations, but could possibly be directed against Israel – “surely you don’t plan to wipe us out?” (1:12). God replies with an implicit rebuke, “I am doing something in your own day, / something you wouldn’t believe / even if someone told you about it” (1:5), by stating that actually it is God, not Habakkuk who is in control here. 2:14 – “as the waters fill the sea, / the earth will be filled with an awareness / of the glory of the Lord;” and 2:20, “the Lord is in his holy Temple. / Let all the earth be silent before him.”
It is a wiser Habakkuk we see in ch 3. 3:2 – “I have heard all about you, Lord. / I am filled with awe by your amazing works.” He has realised that the God he’s moaning to is the God who has revealed himself time and again throughout Israel’s history – 3:8 refers to Ex 14:21, 3:12 refers to Josh 10:13. The penny has dropped in 3:16, “I trembled inside when I heard this; / my lips quivered with fear. / My legs gave way beneath me, / and I shook in terror. / I will wait quietly for the coming day / when disaster will strike the people who invade us.” The lesson has been well and truly learnt as he concludes in 3:19, “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! / He makes me as surefooted as a deer, / able to tread upon the heights.”
Zephaniah was of royal lineage, being a fourth generation descendant of good king Hezekiah (1:1). Interestingly, his message is particularly swingeing against those who should know better – the ruling class. 2:2-3, “Act now, before the fierce fury of the Lord falls / and the terrible day of the Lord’s anger begins. / Seek the Lord, all who are humble, / and follow his commands. / Seek to do what is right / and to live humbly. / Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— / protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”
Zephaniah compares the evil of those who claim to represent God, with God himself – 3:4-5, “Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. / Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God’s instructions. / But the Lord is still there in the city, / and he does no wrong. / Day by day he hands down justice, / and he does not fail. / But the wicked know no shame.” However, from 3:9 onwards, we read how God will restore a proper order in His chosen city, restore His people and live among His people.
Haggai’s prophecies all come in the space of a few months, and a rebuke to the Jews who have allowed themselves to be distracted from the task of rebuilding the Temple. It is not opposition which is the problem, but the fact that Jews were looking after their own interests rather than giving the first fruits and best of their labours to God (1:10). However, to their credit, they took Haggai’s words to heart and responded positively (1:12-13).
The repeated admonition to be strong in 2:4-5 recalls Deut 31:6,23 and Josh 1:6-9.
Hagg 2:5, “My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.”
Zechariah was prophesying at the same time as Haggai (Ezra 5:1), and 4:8-10 seems to have the same message to Zerubabbel to rebuild the Temple – “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand” (4:10). 8:13 – “Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!”
The starting point in an acknowledgement of the past history between God and his people, “But everything I said through my servants the prophets happened to your ancestors, just as I said. As a result, they repented and said, ‘We have received what we deserved from the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He has done what he said he would do’” (1:6).
3:3 recalls job, and the scene of Satan as accuser, whose accusations are dismissed by God, who takes away the filth of the sins and restores to the priestly role.
4:6 – “It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Amid all the outlandish imagery (the apocalyptic style is not dissimilar to Revelation) we see much about Jesus. 3:8, “Soon I am going to bring my servant, the Branch”. 6:12-13, “‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Here is the man called the Branch. He will branch out from where he is and build the Temple of the Lord. Yes, he will build the Temple of the Lord. Then he will receive royal honour and will rule as king from his throne. He will also serve as priest from his throne, and there will be perfect harmony between his two roles.’” 9:9, “Look, your king is coming to you. / He is righteous and victorious, / yet he is humble, riding on a donkey— / riding on a donkey’s colt.”
The reference in 6:13 to there being perfect harmony between the roles of king and priest struck me as I was unsure in Ezekiel 44 about the prince, as this seemed to have a regal role, separate from the priesthood.
The four chariots in 6:1-3, cf Rev 6:2-8
I like the repetition in 1:14 and 8:2 – “My love for Mount Zion is passionate and strong; I am consumed with passion for Jerusalem!” Also 8:23, “In those days ten men from different nations and languages of the world will clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say, ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”
10:8 – “When I whistle to them, they will come running, for I have redeemed them.”
One verse from today - "“It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lordof Heaven’s Armies" (Zech 4:6)
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