Jerusalem Temple Resume Building

Prophecy seems to have been silent for about 16 years, ever since the "third year of Cyrus," Daniel uttered his last message (Dan. 10:1). Now it was revived. Since we have the actual writings of the two prophets here mentioned, Haggai and Zechariah, we are well informed as to what they contributed by way of encouragement and guidance in the resumption of work on the Temple. It is evident from their words that the long delay in realizing the ardent hopes in regard to the rebuilding of the Temple had had an adverse effect on the spirit of the people. Experiencing opposition to their pious efforts to please God and to re—establish the Temple and its services, they allowed their enthusiasm to fade away. A selfish desire for comfort had taken the place of zeal for the honor of God.

Instead of watching for an opportunity to begin the work anew, and taking advantage of it, the people acquiesced in the indefinite postponement and said among themselves, "The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built" (Haggai 1:2). Laying aside the idea of pressing forward with the work, they had turned their energies to the practical object of establishing themselves in comfortable homes (Haggai 1:4, 9). The result of this complacency had been divine judgments, consisting of poor harvests, economic distress (Haggai 1:6, 1:9—11), and great political insecurity (Zech. 1:12 to 2:9). These conditions had not been recognized by the people as signs of God's displeasure. Human agents were therefore raised up by God to interpret to the people the meaning of the circumstances in which they found themselves and to inspire them with new zeal.

The data given by Haggai reveal the successive stages that marked the resumption of building activity. The first call for action was sounded Aug. 29, 520 b.c. (Haggai 1:1). This appeal proved successful, for the leaders apparently began laying plans immediately, and actually set to work about three weeks later, Sept. 21, 520 b.c. (Haggai 1:15). When the site was cleared and the trenches were being dug for the new foundation, it again became apparent that the new Temple would not compare well in size and beauty with that of Solomon's, and some expressions of disappointment were heard (Haggai 2:3, 9 cf. Ezra 3:12, 13). For this reason Haggai addressed another message of encouragement, this time to the people, on October 17 (Haggai 2:1). Two months later everything was ready for the laying of the foundation, and that great occasion, Dec. 18, 520 b.c. (Haggai 2:10, 18), was celebrated, in keeping with Oriental custom. On that day Haggai delivered two speeches, the last of which we have any record. In the meantime, two months after Haggai delivered his first recorded message, Zechariah joined him (Zech. 1:1). A study of the books of Haggai and Zechariah emphasizes the accuracy of the statement of Ezra 5:2, that "the prophets of God" were "helping them" in rebuilding the Temple. Their stirring messages of exhortation, instruction, and encouragement contributed much to the task in fact, except for their inspired ministry, the Temple might have continued to lie desolate.