“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.”

 Haggai 2:20-23

“Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.” Haggai 2:21-23

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:20-23, which the commentary outlines as the third division (entitled God Will Shower His People with Blessing as His Chosen Ones) for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, I fudge on my claim that this is an unassisted review which is only partially true - while I don't lean on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary for this text, I do lean on both Ligonier.org - Teaching Fellowship of R.C. Sproul, and its post here, and GotQuestions.org and its post here.  The latter post describes the signet ring referenced in v23 as a mark by ancient kings to "to designate authority, honor, or ownership."  Further, it shares that "[i]t is important to understand who Zerubbabel is. He is the governor of the rebuilt Jerusalem and is himself of royal blood, being a descendant of David and the grandson of Judah’s King Jehoiachin. Years earlier, Jehoiachin had lost his throne when he was deported to Babylon; in fact, God pictured Jehoiachin as a signet ring being removed from God’s finger (Jeremiah 22:24). Now, God calls Zerubbabel the “signet ring,” but this time it won’t be removed.  In Haggai’s prophecy, God is giving Zerubbabel encouragement and hope. The governor is “chosen” for a unique and noble purpose. As God’s signet ring, Zerubbabel is given a place of honor and authority. God is reinstating the Davidic line and renewing His covenant with David. Judah still has a future as they look forward to the coming Son of David, the Messiah, who would one day “overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms” (v22). Ligonier.org adds: "God's promise to exalt Zerubbabel, that is, one of Zerubbabel's sons, is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who is David's descendant through Zerubbabel (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38). Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God the Father Almighty, fulfilling Haggai's word."  This morning's study dovetails nicely with the study from our Sunday school class on OT prophecies of Jesus.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome and faithful God and I can count on Your Word, as all the promises made in scripture about a coming Messiah came true with You.  ALL of the promises of God find their yes in You (1 Corinthians 1:20).  You are so good and so faithful.  Thank You Jesus for providing and never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of Your love and faithfulness.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.

 Haggai 2:15-19

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:17, 19

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 2:15-19, which the commentary outlines as the second division (entitled The People Were to Consider Where They Had Come From and Be Encouraged by What God Had Called Them To) for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, the commentary emphasizes how God calls people to repentance.  God makes our sin clear to us, while at the same time, He makes His grace clear to us.  A sister in Christ pointed out to me Psalm 51:16-17 yesterday which is very appropriate for my study this morning on how God calls us to repentance.  In this Psalm, David cries out to God seeking reconciliation after Nathan confronts David about his sin of adultery and murder.  Vv16-17 describe David's "broken and contrite heart," which God "does not despise." The amazing nature of God's grace then becomes clear to us in this state - we see the free offer of Jesus, and it becomes all the more amazing when we recognize how it was accomplished - by Jesus' willingness to die on the cross for us.  Israel was disobedient for sure as they turned away from God, but God softened their heart and they returned to Him.  In return, they are blessed.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who made clear my sin to me, softening my heart and making me one of Your elect - thank You Jesus for saving me!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.

 Haggai 2:15-19

I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD....Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you. Haggai 2:17, 19

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 2:15-19, which the commentary outlines as the second division for Haggai 2:10-23, the next set of verses covered by a new chapter in the commentary.  Here, God reminds the people how, in response to their sin and how they turned away from Him, that all things come from Him and He can easily take away just as He provides. While Israel did turn back to the Lord and He promises to bless them (see also Haggai 2:1-9), we must remember that we exist to glorify God, and woe to us if we do not.  We all sin and need a Savior.  God's people needed to repent and so do we. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, all comes from You as You reign and You provide for all needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Most importantly, You save!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and how You provide.  I am not deserving as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.