Sermon Listening Guide
Speaker: Dr. Condy Richardson
Scripture: Haggai 2:20-23
Sermon Title: Final Things
Haggai 2:20-23 (NIV)
20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:
21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
23 “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
22 I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
23 “‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
First Thoughts
These verses conclude our Haggai study and give us an opportunity to “Go Deeper.”
The final four verses are strong words of encouragement to frazzled people.
Redeeming the Past
In Haggai, the Lord gave them the command to rebuild the temple and surrender their hearts.
Zerubbabel (governor of Judah) is mentioned several times in Haggai.
The book concludes with him lifted out as a major character in the narrative.
In Jeremiah 22, Zerubbabel’s grandfather is told none of his descendants will sit on the throne.
In Haggai 2, Zerubbabel is given a future as God’s chosen man.
God delights in making things new.
Look to the Future
In verses 21 and 22, God promises to smash the enemies of Jerusalem.
Verse 23 points to Christ’s arrival as a descendant of Zerubbabel.
In our New Testament era, we see ourselves as extensions of the prophecy.
Through Christ (and Zerubbabel), we continue the good work of God today.
In Haggai, we learn that ultimately there is something even greater than the temple.
Final Thoughts
As Haggai pleaded with a distracted world, we also try to reach the world for Christ.
In looking back to 520 BC Jerusalem, we should also look ahead to Christ’s return.
Do the work of God and surrender to Christ today.
These verses conclude our Haggai study and give us an opportunity to “Go Deeper.”
The final four verses are strong words of encouragement to frazzled people.
Redeeming the Past
In Haggai, the Lord gave them the command to rebuild the temple and surrender their hearts.
Zerubbabel (governor of Judah) is mentioned several times in Haggai.
The book concludes with him lifted out as a major character in the narrative.
In Jeremiah 22, Zerubbabel’s grandfather is told none of his descendants will sit on the throne.
In Haggai 2, Zerubbabel is given a future as God’s chosen man.
God delights in making things new.
Look to the Future
In verses 21 and 22, God promises to smash the enemies of Jerusalem.
Verse 23 points to Christ’s arrival as a descendant of Zerubbabel.
In our New Testament era, we see ourselves as extensions of the prophecy.
Through Christ (and Zerubbabel), we continue the good work of God today.
In Haggai, we learn that ultimately there is something even greater than the temple.
Final Thoughts
As Haggai pleaded with a distracted world, we also try to reach the world for Christ.
In looking back to 520 BC Jerusalem, we should also look ahead to Christ’s return.
Do the work of God and surrender to Christ today.