We now come to the second message, and again the precise date is given. Just as a reminder that the chapter and verse numbers were not part of the original, the second half of Chapter 1 verse 15 seems to belong more logically to Chapter 2 verse 1. Perhaps those who originally assigned verse numbers thought the King Darius bit belonged to the date that work restarted.
The people had been told to restart the building of the temple, but this must have seemed like a daunting task. How could they ever restore things to their former glory? Sin and the consequent judgement had devastated the land and the people.
God reassures the leaders. Leading is difficult, it means carrying on in the face of difficulties, overcoming all sorts of obstacles. The people also need to be encouraged. God reassures them that He is with them. This is what we need to know above all, that God is with us. His plan had not changed, He goes right back to the time He took them out of Egypt. All sorts of things happen but God's plans do not change. Moreover, His Spirit remained among the people. So they did not need to fear. There will be many things that causes us to fear, but we should not be intimidated.
God also has greater plans. He is going to shake the heavens and the earth. He is doing things among the nations. Note that He says that the "what is desired by the nations will come". Today we see secular governments getting what they want, an increasingly godless society. We should not despair when we see this happening for at the same time God "will fill this house with glory". At the same time as darkness covers the earth, light will shine from the house of the Lord.
The whole world belongs to the Lord, not to the nations. This is a fundamental truth. So the glory of the present house would be greater than that of the former. God's plans are going forward, not backwards. It is in His house that we will find peace.
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