Haggai 2: 21-23 the prophecy of Haggai

"Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying 'I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms and destroy the power of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots and their riders, and the horses and their riders will go down, everyone by the sword of another.' 'On that day,' declares the Lord of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtil, My servant,' declares the Lord, 'and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,' " declares the Lord of hosts.

In all of the accounts in the Bible that mention Zerubbabel, he is always associated with the high priest Joshua who returned with him, Together, these two men led the first wave of Jewish returnees from exile and began to rebuild the Temple (Ezra). The prophets Zechariah and Haggai both give unclear statements regarding Zerubbabel authority in their oracles, in which Zerubbabel was either the subject of a false prophecy or the receiver of a divine promotion to kingship. Either way, he was given the task of rebuilding the Temple in the second year of the reign of Darius I (520 BCE), along with the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak and grandson of King Jehoiachin. This quotation from the Book of Haggai illustrates the messianic expectations that are often associated with Zerubbabel. The term, “my servant,” describes Zerubbabel as God’s servant. This term is often associated with King David. Walter Rose concludes that: “the epithet ‘servant’ is hardly ever used for kings after David may be related to the fact that most of them were disappointing in their performance as kings appointed by YAHWEH”.^[Rose emphasizes that the author of the Book of Haggai is associating Zerubbabel with King David.

Daily Prayer: Father, through the work of your Son Jesus Christ, let all who name themselves as Christians have the opportunity to be Your servant. This is the high calling for those who have come into right standing because of the Cross and now have inherited status as sons and daughters of the Most High. In Jesus name I pray Amen.