We finally arrive at the fourth and last prophecy of Haggai. It's amazing how much this prophet said, and accomplished in two short chapters. I don't know about the other Old Testament prophets, but if they all had as much impact as this one did, we could use a few of them in the church today.

And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying, ²¹ Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; ²² And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. ²³ In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

Haggai 2:20-23

The first thing we find in this prophecy is that it was giving on the same day as the third prophecy. Since the third prophecy was a reproof of the people, for thinking they were sanctified by the work they were doing for the Lord, even though they hadn't taken the time to sanctify their hearts; it's surprising to find this prophecy given on the same day.

This prophecy, like the second is very positive. It is a word of encouragement to the people, but most especially to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. As such, even though he was a Jew, he was the official representative of the Persian government, a pagan people.

It is interesting to note that although the first two prophecies were specifically stated to be for Zerubbabel, Joshua (the high priest) and the priests in general, this one is directed only to Zerubbabel. The difference is that the earlier prophecies dealt with spiritual matters, while this one, although spiritual in its content and context, dealt with governmental matters.

That is not to say that governmental matters are not spiritual; they are. However, God is making a distinction here. In the earlier prophecies, he is directing them both to ecclesiastical and secular authority, because those spiritual matters affected the governing of the people as well. In this final prophecy He is saying that there although the spiritual affects the governing of the people, not everything that affects the governing of the people need be a burden on the priesthood (ministers). Secular government is given the responsibility, by God, to deal with certain burdens and responsibilities.

The same exists in the church today. God never intended for the pastor to be the chief administrator, repairman, bus driver and janitor for the church. He intended for the pastor to take care of the spiritual needs of the congregation. In the book of Acts, the apostles (who functioned as the pastors of the early church) created the post of deacon, so that they would not have to deal with all aspects of the administration of the church.

We can break this prophecy down into two parts. The first part deals with God's plans for political change, and the second deals with God's purpose in Zerubbabel's life. Let's start with the first part:

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; ²² And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

Haggai 2:21-22

We find a little repetition in this prophecy with what God said in the third one; specifically in the phrase "I will shake the heavens and the earth." In the Bible, when we find something repeated, it means that God is emphasizing it. Today, instead of repeating something, we would use an exclamation point (!), but they didn't have punctuation as we know it today.

In prophecy, this same repetition indicated that something was to happen soon (in God's time table of events). God typically warned of major events more than one time, especially as the time for those events drew near.

In this same phrase, God speaks of "shaking" two things: "the heavens" and "the earth." This symbolizes that the shaking will take place in two separate, but connected realms; that of the spiritual and that of the natural.

We need to understand here that although there are things we consider spiritual and others that we consider secular, to God they are all spiritual. The only difference is that some of the spiritual things exist in the spirit realm, and others of the spiritual things exist in the natural realm. God does not ignore something, or say it isn't spiritual just because it exists in the natural realm.

Governments especially are of interest to God. He has said, "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will" (Prov 21:1). God hasn't stopped taking an interest in the government, just because we live in a democratic society. It doesn't matter either that our "king" is called a "president." He still works in, and through governmental leaders, even those who don't say that they serve Him.

Although God will work directly upon the heart of a governmental leader, this doesn't absolve us of our responsibility. We too must take part in this work. Our part is to pray for them, and to tell them the will of God. Then we are to leave it in the hands of the Lord, so that He can work on them.

We can see the results of the church's prayers in the area of governmental dealings by looking at the last U.S. presidential elections. Never in recent history had the church prayed so much for the election process. When all the votes were counted, the man who was elected was a believer.

God is very specific in this prophecy about how he is going to work in the existing political atmosphere of the day. The first thing he says is that He will "overthrow the throne of kingdoms." It is clear from this statement that God is going to start His cleansing work at the top, dealing with the kings, before dealing with their kingdoms.

For a king, having his throne overthrown is the worst thing that can happen. Not only does it mean the end of all his privileges as king, but probably means the end of his life as well. For an unbelieving king, who doesn't have the hope of salvation, this is a serious result indeed.

After dealing with the kings, God goes on to talk about destroying the strength of the nations over which they reigned. Specifically He states overthrowing chariots and horses. Although this may not seem like much to us, with our modern military hardware, to the people of the day this was a strong statement.

In Old Testament times, the chariot was the equivalent of our modern military tank. With their maneuverability and fighting ability, normal infantry (which made up the majority of any army) didn't have a chance. If the horses didn't trample them underfoot, or the blades attached to the wheels didn't cut them down, then the charioteers would have a chance to attack them with their weapons. Since chariots moved much faster then infantry, it was difficult for the soldiers to prepare themselves to repel a chariot attack.

Horsemen, or cavalry, were used by every army that knew of horses, from ancient times all the way up to the beginning of World War II. The great advantage of cavalry was their mobility. Since they could move quickly, they were most often employed for surprise attacks, especially in the flanks, and rear of an opposing army.

In both of these cases, God is speaking about the most powerful and effective part of any army in ancient times. Time after time in the Old Testament we find when an army is mentioned that the number of chariots, and/or horsemen is specifically listed. That's because everyone in ancient times understood their military value.

By speaking of bringing down the chariots and horsemen God is almost mocking the strength of these nations. He is clearly stating that the strongest of their military is nothing to Him. Although they may be many, He alone was enough to overturn their might.

Okay, God will destroy them, but how? It's not like God can put on earthly flesh and battle against these mighty armies. Again, we find that God is very specific in how He is going to win the battle, "every one (cut down) by the sword of his brother" (parenthesis mine).

This seems to be one of God's favorite military tactics. There are many cases in the Old Testament of armies destroying themselves, and the Israelites not having to fight.

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. ²³ For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

2 Chron 20:22-23

All the army of Judah (the southern kingdom after the division) had to do in that battle was sing praises to the Lord, and pick up the booty that the dead army left behind. God arranged for them to kill each other. That sounds to me like an easy way to win a war.

I can imagine that there were biblical scholars in both Judah and Persia that knew of that battle and others where enemy armies who tried to attack the people of God destroyed themselves in this same way. For those of Judah, hearing this prophecy would give them great hope. For those of Persia, if they took these histories seriously, it would give them great fear.

We can add to this prophecy one of the prophecies of Daniel, which also speaks of the overthrow of kingdoms. During the time that Nebuchadnezzar was king, he had a dream which Daniel interpreted for him. In this dream the king saw a great statue, with various parts made of different materials. A stone came and broke the feet of the statue. Although the king could not remember the dream, he was greatly disturbed by it.

Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them to pieces. ³⁵ Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Daniel 2:34-35

And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. ⁴⁵ Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.

Daniel 44-45

Again, I am sure that there were scholars in Persia that knew of this dream, and its interpretation, as Persia overthrew Babylonia and took over their capitol. These records would probably still exist, and even if they didn't the prophet Daniel could tell them of it.

In fact, it was not to many years later that the Persian empire was overthrown, freeing the Israel people of their yoke, and allowing them total freedom to worship in Jerusalem.

The second part of this prophecy deals directly with Zerubbabel and his role as a leader of the people. In it, God says:

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

Haggi 2:23

God refers to Zerubbabel in this verse as "my servant." This is a very common title in prophecy, but not one normally used for government officials, especially government officials in a pagan government. We most commonly find this phrase used in Messianic prophecies, specifically referring to the coming Messiah.

However, even looking at the title "my servant" in this context, God is correct in applying it to Zerubbabel. If we look at the genealogy of Jesus, mentioned in both the gospels of Matthew and Luke, we find Zerubbabel mentioned (Mt 1:13; Lk 3:27). He is part of the Davidic line, heir to the throne, and reserving it for the true coming King of Israel, Jesus.

The other important term that God uses in this verse is to call Zerubbabel a "signet." The signet was the official seal of a king, or other important official, often worn on a ring. The normal manner of using a signet was to drip melted wax on the document press the signet into it before it could harden; leaving an impression in the wax. The king would use the signet as his signature on important documents, or to seal important items so that they couldn't be opened without his knowledge. Since the king had only one signet, it was a way to prevent forgery and fraud, as it was as well guarded as the king himself, and nobody could casually come by it.

The reason a signet was used, instead of having the king sign the documents was to save the king's valuable time. Since they didn't have Xerox machines in those days, scribes would hand write the many copies of an edict, or other official document that were needed. The king, or someone acting on his behalf, would seal each copy with his signet, which acted as his signature.

For the king to seal something with his signet was to claim royal authority over it, or to call it his personal property. Since the king had ownership rights to everything and everyone in his kingdom, nobody would dare mess with something that had his signet on it.

We find the signet clearly used to seal something in the book of Daniel, specifically in the story of Daniel in the lion's den. When Daniel was thrown into the den of lions, the king and his lords sealed the stone placed over the mouth of the den with their signets.

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Dan 6:17

As it says in the verse I have quoted here, "that the purpose might not be changed." To break the seal which the king had placed upon the stone was a grave matter, one which could cause the person breaking it the gravest possible consequences. His "lords" were probably the same enemies who had set the trap against Daniel. They probably added their signets to that of the king to insure that the king couldn't change his mind and try to trick them.

At times, a king would give his signet to a trusted prince, or prime minister to use, signifying that they were acting with his authority. Even though the king didn't issue the edict personally, but that other official did, since they carried his signet they did so with his authority. In other words, instead of speaking as themselves, as long as they held the king's signet, it was as if the king was speaking, instead of the minister.

The book of Esther shows us the most clear biblical example of a king giving his signet ring to a trusted minister, in order to convey his authority to them. Without getting into great detail about the story of Esther, we find the king giving his ring to both Haman, the enemy of the Jews, and Mordecai, Esther's uncle.

And the king took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

Esther 3:10

And the king took off his ring, which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai. And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Haman.

Esther 8:2

Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

Esther 8:8

When the king first gave the ring to Haman, it was to seal the decree about killing the Jews, which Haman was issuing in the king's name. Later, after his true heart was shown, the king took his ring back from Haman, taking along with it the royal authority to act as his prime minister.

When the king gave his ring to Mordecai, it wasn't for any specific act, or to seal any particular document. That tells us that the king's purpose was to convey to Mordecai the office of prime minister in his kingdom.

A few verses later, the king directs Esther and Mordecai to prepare an edict, and seal it with his ring, so that it could be sent throughout his kingdom. He is very clear in stating that this edict would be done with his authority, and as such, could not be changed by any lesser man's authority.

Okay, but how do we apply all this to what God prophesied about Zerubbabel? Since he wasn't a ring that God took off of His finger, there must have been a slightly more symbolic meaning in what God spoke through the prophet Haggai.

To truly understand this symbolism, we need to add another verse; one from a prophecy by Jeremiah:

As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

Jer 22:24

Coniah, the son of Hehoiakim, also called Jeconiah, was the grandfather of Zerubbabel. He was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar at the fall of Jerusalem. The Bible doesn't say much about him, but the little it does say makes it clear that he was a man who didn't serve God.

Here in this prophecy, God clearly states that he was extremely dissatisfied by the reign of Coniah. But, that's not all it says. It also implies that as king, Coniah had been the earthly representative of God's authority. God is saying that had be been able, he would take that authority away from Coniah. In fact, God did take his authority away when he went into captivity in Babylon.

When God called Zerubbabel His signet ring, he was reestablishing the royal line of David, and elevating Zerubbabel to the same stature, in His eyes, as his ancestor, King David. How did Zerubbabel gain this approval of God? Although I'm sure his work in the reconstruction of the temple had something to do with it, I'm equally sure that wasn't the only reason. God never gives approval to a person for their works, only for their heart. So, Zerubbabel must have had a heart truly seeking God, and His will in Jerusalem.

By being called God's signet ring, God told the people that Zerubbabel acted with His divine authority; even though Zerubbabel was just a governor, and not a king. God wasn't as interested in his earthly title as He was in his spiritual position.

More than that, God not only gave His "seal of approval" to Zerubbabel as his governmental representative here on earth, but also gave the returned Jews the same "seal of approval." They were no longer an outcast people, separated from their God; they were once again God's chosen people, the people through whom God would carry out His divine plans and purposes.

This fourth, and final prophecy of Haggai was essential as part of the preparation for the coming of the Messiah. If God had declared Zerubbabel as his signet, then the succession to King David's throne would have no validity. However, since He did make this declaration, when Jesus came, He had legal right to occupy the throne of his ancestor, David.

God has called us, the church today, "a kingdom of kings and priests." We have also been called His ambassadors upon the earth. As such, the same seal of approval made upon Zerubbabel must be made upon us.

That seal doesn't come to us automatically by our position; it comes to us by our commitment. If we, like Coniah, leave God out of our lives, working by our own authority, power, and ability, then we will not be God's signet. On the other hand, if we, like Zerubbabel, commit our lives and hearts to His purpose, we shall be approved as God's signet here upon the earth.

It's amazing how much God could say in four short prophecies, contained in two brief chapters of prophecy. It's equally amazing how much of this is applicable to us today. Although we didn't live in the time of the prophet, nor were we involved in the building of the earthly temple, what the prophet had to say to those people resounds towards us throughout the ages.

All too often, when we study Biblical prophecy, we don't take the time to seek the deep message that's written there. We are looking for a quick word, not one that we have to study and seek. Because of this, we don't see all that God wants to say to us.

Although the books of prophecy were written to a people long ago, there's a reason they are included in our Bible. That reason isn't just so that we can know the history of Israel, nor is it just so that we can apply the visions of Daniel to the coming tribulation. That reason is so that we can learn from the lessons that God taught to His chosen people, centuries ago.

Those books still hold an incredible wealth of valuable lessons to the believer of today. When we take the time to study and analyze what God has placed in them, we will find that there is much that we can use in our lives. Let's not leave out part of the Bible, just because it's hard to understand.