Hope for a New Day

June 22, 2014 Background Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1 – 7; Haggai 2:20 – 23; Zechariah 4 Lesson Passage: Haggai 2:23; Zechariah 4:1 – 3, 6 – 14 Out of small things, God brings forth greatness. It is a privilege to be a part of God’s unfolding plan. No matter how menial the task may appear or insignificant the effort that is not celebrated openly, God brings forth glory when those tasks and efforts are ordained of Him. God chooses leaders according to His own pleasure. Those who are chosen of God for honor have character that demonstrates an awe-filled respect and reverence for Him. They recognize that obedience to God brings peace and joy—even in difficult situations. Not many who are wise according to this world or people of status in the world are called of God. But those who are chosen of God are used by God to overcome what would seem to be insurmountable obstacles. Such was the case with Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest. God made choice of them to lead His people back into Canaan after seventy years of exile in Babylon. Zerubbabel was the governor or civil leader of the returning remnant and Joshua was the priest who interceded on behalf of the people of Israel. God promised to provide a better day for His people through the leadership of these two. Although the elders among Israel who had seen the temple of Solomon saw this new temple constructed under Zerubbabel’s leadership as lacking, God assured them through the prophet Haggai that the glory of this latter temple would be greater than the first. Those who looked and saw with their eyes could not understand it but those who trusted in God were given an assurance that a new day was coming. This revelation had to come from within them and not from without. This new day would not be ushered in through some great army of Israel or any other worldly power. Only through the Spirit of God would this new day be realized. Through Zerubabbel’s leadership, no obstacle would be too great. The anointing of God upon him would be greater than any external threat Israel would face. Zerubbabel descended from the lineage of David and therefore had the royal bloodline of Israel in him and Joshua was the high priest ordained of God for such a time as this. These two anointed men of God were seen as olive trees supplying fresh oil to the lamps on the lamp stands. Zechariah’s vision was an image of these two standing beside God. As long as the leaders of Israel stood on God’s side and had the anointing of God upon them, Israel could be assured that there was a new day coming. Godly men leading God’s people will always bring forth a new day. God works directly through them to accomplish His will. The seventy years of exile were over and the temple was being restored. This is indicative that the first priority was to establish the right relationship with God. Many children of Israel remained in the land of exile but those who had returned were laying the spiritual foundation for a bright tomorrow for all of Israel. In God’s own time and in God’s own way, every prophecy was being fulfilled exactly according to God’s plan. Israel had hope because a new day was dawning. Robert C. Hudson June 7, 2014