The last, the post-exilic, period of prophecy opens with Haggai. The change is striking. Haggai's four brief discourses urge the Jews after the return from Babylon, to resume the work of rebuilding the Temple. This Temple, therefore, and this descendant of David become the focus of a messianic hope that will be more clearly expressed in Zechariah. They are dated precisely, in 520.

HAGGAI - (1) The movement to rebuild the Temple - The glory that is to come to the Temple - The prophet consults the priests - A promise of agricultural prosperity - The promise to Zerubbabel - Chapter 1 to 2 - In summary : A call to rebuild the Temple.

The Book of Zechariah consists of two distinct parts: Chapter 1 to 8 are dated between 520 and 517 and are the work of Zechariah, the prophet of national restoration. The rest of the chapters appear to be of various dates. There is no doubt about the authorship of this amply dated and homogeneous section. Like Haggai, Zechariah was preoccupied with the rebuilding of the Temple but more than Haggai, with the national restoration and the irreproachable moral conduct it required.

This book is of particular interest for messianic teaching which ,however, is not presented systematically: the recovery of the House of David, the expectation of a humble and gentle Messiah but also a obscure prophecy about someone who is 'pierced' and an armed theocracy which nevertheless is a liturgical community as in Ezekiel. These elements are reconciled in the person of Christ and the New Testament often quotes these chapters of Zechariah or at least alludes to them - Matt.21:4-5, 27:9 (combined with Jeremiah); 26:31 = Mark 14:27; John 19:37 -

ZECHARIAH - (1) First Part - A summons to conversion - First vision: the horsemen - Second vision: the horns and the smiths - Third vision: the measurer - Two exhortations to the exiles - Fourth vision: the investiture of Jordan - The coming of the 'Branch' - Fifth vision: the lamp-stand and the olive trees - Three sayings about Zerubbabel - Sixth vision: the flying scroll - Seventh vision: the woman in the bushel - Eight vision: the chariots - The votive crown - A question on fasting - The nation's past surveyed - A prospect of messianic salvation - The answer to the question on fasting - A prospect of messianic salvation - Chapter 1 to 8 - (2) Second Part - The new promised land - The Messiah - The restoration of Israel - Faithfulness to Yahweh - Israel's deliverance and return - The two shepherds - The deliverance and restoration of Jerusalem - The eschatological battle; the splendour of Jerusalem - Chapter 9 to 14 - In summary : A Messianic prophecy calling for the completion of construction on the Temple.

This book is anonymous since 'Malachi' means 'my messenger'; six discourses which look forward to 'the day of Yahweh'. The prophet expects the advent of the angel of the covenant heralded by a mysterious messenger - 3:1 - in whom - Matt. 11:10 (cf, Luke 7:27 and Mk. 1:2) sees John the Baptist, the precursor. In this messianic era the moral order will be restored - 3:5 - as also true religion - 3:4 - culminating in a perfect sacrifice offered to God by all the nations - 1:11 - By its content the book can be dated about the middle of the 5th century.

MALACHI -(1) The love of Yahweh for Israel - An indictment of the priests - Mixed marriage and divorce - The day of Yahweh - Temple tithes - The triumph of the virtuous on the day of Yahweh - Appendices - Chapter 1 to 3 -

In summary : A prophecy of destruction followed by Messianic blessing.

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!

I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.

HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -