Notice the close tying in of the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah with the actual building work. Prophecy and action are meant to go together, and prophecy has a key role to play in the practical fulfilment of the Great Commission. Haggai and Zechariah essentially urged them to get on with it.
There was still opposition to the recommencement of the rebuilding work. However, God was watching over them and it was not actually stopped at that point. The Jewish leaders reminded Tattenai of the history and in particular of Cyrus' decree that set things in motion. They urged Darius to confirm that there version of history was accurate.
Darius carried out a search of the archives and found that the Jews' version of history was actually correct. So Darius issued a decree that rebuilding get going again, and that support for the work be provided.
So the work recommenced and the temple was completed.
Then there was a great celebration of the Passover to mark the completion.
So if we look at this there are three essential elements to the completion of the work:
- The role of prophets in supporting the work
- Working within the political and legal framework of the time.
- The leaders keeping a clear and calm approach to things.
It is the integration of all three that is crucial to success.
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