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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

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

Not everyone is disregarding God; some individuals stand in the gap in faithfulness to YHWH. As we saw in Haggai’s opening verse, part of his message is directed at two men in particular:

In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Haggai 1:1 ESV

These two men stand apart and take action for God. With hearts in the right place, Zerubbabel was governor (a civic leader) and Joshua high priest (a religious leader), together they provide crucial leadership for the construction of the temple. 

  1. In your workbook, fill in the right-hand column of the table below with either Zerubbabel or Joshua, designating which figure would be responsible to provide what was needed.
ResourcesZerubbabel or Joshua?
Money 
Sacrifices
Permits
Temple fixtures
Lumber
Records
Temple staff
God’s laws (instruction manual)
Liturgy
Land deed
See the complete table below showing how each of these two prominent leaders provided what was needed for the rebuilding of the temple.
Resources Zerubbabel or Joshua?
Money Zerubbabel
Sacrifices Joshua
Permits Zerubbabel
Temple fixtures Joshua
Lumber Zerubbabel
Records Zerubbabel
Temple staff Joshua
God’s laws (instruction manual) Joshua
Liturgy Joshua
Land deed Zerubbabel

The name “Zerubbabel” means “planted in Babylon.” Zerubbabel was born in Babylon and had no experience being a governor. Nonetheless, he helped the people get transplanted back in their homeland.

The work that God started in Babylon continued through Zerubbabel in “the land.” Being a “signet ring” refers not only to his role as a representative, but also to his ability to authorize the work God intends. As governor, he was able to get the permits and the money required.

The name “Joshua” means “the LORD saves.” His namesake was Joshua son of Nun, who brought the people into the promised land. The hope in Joshua’s name is that he too will deliver them—this time from exile. “Joshua” will also be the name of the New Testament Messiah, “Yeshua,” in Greek Iēsous, known to us as “Jesus.”