prophets and kings-第101章
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God's grace in heart and life； message after message was given them through Haggai and Zechariah； with assurances that their faith would be richly rewarded and that the word of God concerning the future glory of the temple whose walls they were rearing would not fail。 In this very building would appear； in the fullness of time； the Desire of all nations as the Teacher and Saviour of mankind。
Thus the builders were not left to struggle alone； 〃with them were the prophets of God helping them；〃 and the Lord of hosts Himself had declared； 〃Be strong； 。 。 。 and work： for I am with you。〃 Ezra 5：2； Haggai 2：4。
With heartfelt repentance and a willingness to advance by faith； came the promise of temporal prosperity。 〃From this day；〃 the Lord declared； 〃will I bless you。〃 Verse 19。
To Zerubbabel their leaderhe who； through all the years since their return from Babylon； had been so sorely triedwas given a most precious message。 The day was coming； the Lord declared； when all the enemies of His chosen people would be cast down。 〃In that day； saith the Lord of hosts； will I take thee； O Zerubbabel； My servant； 。 。 。 and will make thee as a signet： for I have chosen thee。〃 Verse 23。 Now the governor of Israel could see the meaning
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of the providence that had led him through discouragement and perplexity； he could discern God's purpose in it all。
This personal word to Zerubbabel has been left on record for the encouragement of God's children in every age。 God has a purpose in sending trial to His children。 He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to be led if they could see the end from the beginning； and discern the glory of the purpose that they are fulfilling。 All that He brings upon them in test and trial comes that they may be strong to do and to suffer for Him。
The messages delivered by Haggai and Zechariah roused the people to put forth every possible effort for the rebuilding of the temple； but； as they worked； they were sadly harassed by the Samaritans and others who devised many hindrances。 On one occasion the provincial officers of the Medo…Persian realm visited Jerusalem and requested the name of the one who had authorized the restoration of the building。 If at that time the Jews had not been trusting in the Lord for guidance； this inquiry might have resulted disastrously to them。 〃But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews； that they could not cause them to cease； till the matter came to Darius。〃 Ezra 5：5。 The officers were answered so wisely that they decided to write a letter to Darius Hystaspes； then the ruler of Medo…Persia； directing his attention to the original decree made by Cyrus； which commanded that the house of God at Jerusalem be rebuilt； and that the expenses for the same be paid from the king's treasury。
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Darius searched for this decree； and found it； whereupon he directed those who had made the inquiry to allow the rebuilding of the temple to proceed。 〃Let the work of this house of God alone；〃 he commanded； 〃let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God in his place。
〃Moreover；〃 Darius continued； 〃I make a decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of this house of God： that of the king's goods； even of the tribute beyond the river； forthwith expenses be given unto these men； that they be not hindered。 And that which they have need of； both young bullocks； and rams； and lambs； for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven； wheat； salt； wine； and oil； according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem； let it be given them day by day without fail： that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors unto the God of heaven； and pray for the life of the king； and of his sons。〃 Ezra 6：7…10。
The king further decreed that severe penalties be meted out to those who should in any wise alter the decree； and he closed with the remarkable statement： 〃The God that hath caused His name to dwell there destroy all kings and people； that shall put to their hand to alter and to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem。 I Darius have made a decree； let it be done with the speed。〃 Verse 12。 Thus the Lord prepared the way for the completion of the temple。
For months before this decree was made； the Israelites had kept on working by faith； the prophets of God still helping them by means of timely messages； through which
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the divine purpose for Israel was kept before the workers。 Two months after Haggai's last recorded message was delivered； Zechariah had a series of visions regarding the work of God in the earth。 These messages； given in the form of parables and symbols； came at a time of great uncertainty and anxiety； and were of peculiar significance to the men who were advancing in the name of the God of Israel。 It seemed to the leaders as if the permission granted the Jews to rebuild was about to be withdrawn； the future appeared very dark。 God saw that His people were in need of being sustained and cheered by a revelation of His infinite compassion and love。
In vision Zechariah heard the angel of the Lord inquiring； 〃O Lord of hosts； how long wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah； against which Thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years？ And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me；〃 Zechariah declared； 〃with good words and comfortable words。
〃So the angel that communed with me said unto me； Cry thou； saying； Thus saith the Lord of hosts； I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy。 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease： for I was but a little displeased； and they helped forward the affliction。 Therefore thus saith the Lord； I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies： My house shall be built in it； 。 。 。 and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem。〃 Zechariah 1：12…16。
The prophet was now directed to predict； 〃Thus saith the
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Lord of hosts； My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad； and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion； and shall yet choose Jerusalem。〃 Verse 17。
Zechariah then saw the powers that had 〃scattered Judah； Israel； and Jerusalem；〃 symbolized by four horns。 Immediately afterward he saw four carpenters； representing the agencies used by the Lord in restoring His people and the house of His worship。 See verses 18…21。
〃I lifted up mine eyes again；〃 Zechariah said； 〃and looked； and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand。 Then said I； Whither goest thou？ And he said unto me； To measure Jerusalem； to see what is the breadth thereof； and what is the length thereof。 And； behold； the angel that talked with me went forth； and another angel went out to meet him； and said unto him； Run； speak to this young man； saying； Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein： for I； saith the Lord； will be unto her a wall of fire round about； and will be the glory in the midst of her。〃 Zechariah 2：1…5。
God had commanded that Jerusalem be rebuilt； the vision of the measuring of the city was an assurance that He would give comfort and strength to His afflicted ones； and fulfill to them the promises of His everlasting covenant。 His protecting care； He declared； would be like 〃a wall of fire round about；〃 and through them His glory would be revealed to all the sons of men。 That which He was accomplishing for His people was to be known in all the earth。 〃Cry out and shout； thou inhabitant of Zion： for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee。〃 Isaiah 12：6。
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Chapter 47
Joshua and the Angel
The steady advancement made by the builders of the temple greatly discomfited and alarmed the hosts of evil。 Satan determined to put forth still further effort to weaken and discourage God's people by holding before them their imperfections of character。 If those who had long suffered because of transgression could again be induced to disregard God's commandments； they would be brought once mor
