Back to Course

Minor Prophets, Part 3: Persian Period and Restoration

  1. Lesson One
    Obadiah
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Haggai
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Zechariah
    20 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    Malachi
    18 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    OT Wrap-Up (Psalm 119)
    15 Activities
    |
    5 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment
Lesson Progress
0% Complete

The people return from exile. They busy themselves rebuilding their homes and cities. There’s one major problem—they don’t show the same interest in rebuilding the house of God. 

God speaks through the prophet Haggai: “Why are you trying to take care of yourselves without taking care of me?” One man, Zerubbabel the son of the governor of Judah, steps forward to lead the building project. Because of his leadership and representation of God’s interests, he is called God’s “signet ring.” 

Signet rings were used for endorsing ancient documents and agreements with royal authority. In rebuilding the temple, Zerubbabel is YHWH’s seal of approval. We might say he “seals the deal” in the people’s return to the land.

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.
Haggai 2:23 NIV