The work on the temple has stopped because of opposition. However, even when the opposition has died down, the people do not get back to God’s house. They are concerned about building their own houses, working their own fields, taking care of their own stomachs. But things are not going well. It seems that no one can get ahead. Now comes two prophets of God: Haggai and Zechariah. They point out the real problem: they left the work of the Lord to feed themselves. Therefore, God has not blessed them. The answer is to return to the original work to which they were called: the rebuilding of the temple. The people hear the words of the prophets and they respond. The work on the temple resumes.
This lesson shows the Lord to be in charge even against unthinkable odds and in the most difficult of circumstance. Whether it be an army surrounding you or a horrible famine, God’s grace is sufficient.
Leviticus 18 deals with the judgment of God upon a nation that is guilty of shedding innocent blood. How does America line up according to the scriptures?
