Brian Fisher
Grace Bible Church
“Needing Divine Intervention”
Haggai 2:20-23
The building of a local, earthly temple was just the beginning. God intends to manifest His glory by much grander dimensions, indeed a worldwide, universal dimension. Earthly rulers will be removed because there can exist no rivalry between God’s rule and the rule of mere men. God will vindicate His name, His promises and the expectations of His people by reestablishing the royal line of David through Zerubbabel, His chosen ruler. Although Zerubbabel had failed to accomplish his one objective over the past 16 years, the rebuilding of God’s temple, God nevertheless restored him and promised him future authority and blessing.
I. Vindication - 2:20-22
When God acts, this is what it will look like:
A. Foreign powers overthrown – Zech. 14:3-9
Protection for God’s people
Peace for God’s people
B. Unmistakable reign of God’s representatives on earth – Zech. 14:9
Through His representative, His Son, Jesus Messiah
Every knee will bow and every tongue confess
C. Material blessings for God’s people – Zech. 14:14
Blessings in the land - Ezek 34:25-31; 36:28-30
D. Spiritual blessings for God’s people – Zech. 12:10; 13:1
Forgiveness - Jer 31:34; Ez 36:25,29
Indwelling presence of God/power - Ez 36:27; Ez. 11:19-20
Law written on their hearts - Jer 31:33
Knowledge of God - Jer 31:34
Love for God/Sensitivity to God - Ez 36:22-26
Unique relationship to God - Ez 37:26-28
Regathering - Ez 34:11-13; 36:24
David reigning on the throne - Ezek 34:23,24; 37:24,25
Resurrection/Eternal life - Ez. 37:12-14; Is 25:6-9 (all peoples); 26:19-21
As we serve the Lord, remember:
1. Don’t be surprised
Whole world under domination of evil one
2. God is jealous for His glory
“For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act; for how can {My name} be profaned? And My glory I will not give to another.”
—Isaiah 48:11
3. God will not allow rebellion on the earth
4. God will protect His people
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
—Romans 12:19
We can rest in this hope
5. God may not intervene immediately
2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-9
“Put away your sword”
Instructs us to suffer now
Turn the other cheek
Blessed are you when men persecute you
Win men and women through our sacrifice
Window of opportunity will close upon Christ’s return
Looking for a city whose builder is God; Hebrews
II. Restoration – Haggai 2:23
Take you; grandfather had been set aside; Jer. 22:24-30
Apparently a desire to restore Jehoiachin from Babylon to replace Zedekiah (cf. 28:14; 29:1-32)
Second chance for Zerubbabel
He had not led well for 16 years
Zech. 4:1-7
Listed in genealogy of God’s Messiah
Second chance for Joshua (2:10-14) - priests had not been doing their jobs
Second chance for people – previously devoted to paneled houses
Second chance for us
Prodigal son; even given a robe
III. Exaltation - 2:23
A. The substance of reward - Ps. 8; Rev. 5:10; Is. 53:12
Signet = reign; authority to rule; fulfillment of design
We are designed to rule; not Satan
Most rewarding thing you have ever accomplished
B. The basis of reward - Is. 41:8; 42:1; 44:1; 49:7; 52:13-53:12; 1 Peter 4:12-13
“servant” – title for Messiah; willingness to suffer in order to redeem
Messiah learned obedience through suffering; exalted because He was willing to suffer. We are exalted to the degree we suffer.
C. The time of reward - Is. 2:11,17,20; 3:7,18; Hos. 2:18,21; Amos 8:3,9
“that day” - Zerubbabel did not see that day
God needs nothing from us
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is a house you could build for Me? And where is a place that I may rest? For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,’ declares the LORD. ‘But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.’”
—Isaiah 66:1-2
Conclusion:
Be faithful now