按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
know that I am the Lord
576
their God； that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt； that I may dwell among them： I am the Lord their God。〃 Exodus 29：45； 46。 And now； notwithstanding the fact that they had repeatedly 〃rebelled； and vexed His Holy Spirit〃 （Isaiah 63：10）； God once more； through the messages of His prophet； was stretching out His hand to save。 As a recognition of their co…operation with His purpose； He was renewing His covenant that His Spirit should remain among them； and He bade them； 〃Fear not。〃
To His children today the Lord declares； 〃Be strong； 。 。 。 and work： for I am with you。〃 The Christian always has a strong helper in the Lord。 The way of the Lord's helping we may not know； but this we do know： He will never fail those who put their trust in Him。 Could Christians realize how many times the Lord has ordered their way； that the purposes of the enemy concerning them might not be accomplished； they would not stumble along complainingly。 Their faith would be stayed on God； and no trial would have power to move them。 They would acknowledge Him as their wisdom and efficiency； and He would bring to pass that which He desires to work out through them。
The earnest pleadings and the encouragements given through Haggai were emphasized and added to by Zechariah； whom God raised up to stand by his side in urging Israel to carry out the command to arise and build。 Zechariah's first message was an assurance that God's word never fails and a promise of blessing to those who would hearken to the sure word of prophecy。
577
With fields lying waste； with their scant store of provisions rapidly failing； and surrounded as they were by unfriendly peoples； the Israelites nevertheless moved forward by faith in response to the call of God's messengers； and labored diligently to restore the ruined temple。 It was a work requiring firm reliance upon God。 As the people endeavored to do their part； and sought for a renewal of 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
578
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。
579
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
580
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