I was encouraged this week in my reading of the historical introduction to the book of Zechariah in MacArthur's Study Bible, "Zechariah joined Haggai in rousing the people from their indifference, challenging them to resume building the temple. Haggai's primary purpose was to rebuild the temple; his preaching had a tone of rebuke for the people's indifference, sin and lack of trust in God. He was used to start the revival, while Zechariah was used to keep it going strong with a more positive emphasis, calling the people to repentance and reassuring them regarding future blessings. Zechariah sought to encourage the people to build the temple in view of the promise that someday Messiah would come and inhabit it."
What encouraged me was the comparison of the tone and purpose of these two prophets which God used to rebuild the temple. They each has a definite purpose and prophesied in different ways in their particular circumstances to accomplish God's overall plan for His temple.
Too often today we focus on God's personal ministry to our own souls and thus assemble a cast of favorite preachers but we must often remind ourselves that God has a kingdom plan of which each preacher and teacher is a part. Some preach with a tone of rebuke while others have a more positive emphasis. Some attract us with their preaching while we push others to the side. But in the end those who preach and teach with biblical authority are raised up by God to accomplish His purposes and goals in His Church.
May God give us more Haggai's and Zechariah's and Elisha's and the grace to receive them all as God's servants, each being used in His great kingdom plan.
Good articles this week:
Standing in the Fire http://prairie.edu/ckfinder/userfile/file/Servant%20Issue%20102.pdf
pages 4, 5 and 14.
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