CFM:
Thoughts to Keep in Mind
CFM: December 5–11
“Holiness unto the Lord”
Videos and Podcasts
BOMC: Haggai & Zechariah
LUL: Haggai & Zechariah
TWP: Haggai & Zechariah (also available on Apple)
DMT: Haggai & Zechariah
RV: Haggai & Zechariah Podcast
CFH: Haggai & Zechariah Part 1, Part 2 (also available on Apple)
Link to the Google Doc
Resources and insights pertaining to the Lessons
Continuation of the 12 Minor Prophets
(~520-505 BC)
“Festive”, from Chag חָג (H2282)
The book of Haggai was written during the Persian occupation. Haggai and Zechariah are mentioned explicitly in Ezra 5:1, and served during the same timeframe. The Persians had recently overthrown the Babylonian government, and Cyrus the Great made his famous declaration, allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. (Although only about 20% of the Jews taken into captivity returned to the Holy Land.)
Haggai’s record begins two years after King Darius succeeded Cyrus as king. Joshua served as High Priest, and Zerubbabel, a descendant of the Dravidic line, served as a governor under the Persian empire. Returning to Jerusalem was a cause for celebration. However, many challenges materialized as the Jews were being gathered, which caused serious concerns. In his letters, Haggai criticized the Jews for putting their priorities above the Lord, particularly when rebuilding the Temple.
Haggai admonished the Jews to “Consider your ways,” explaining that all the things that the people prioritized, thinking that those things were going to make them happy, were never going to be enough. True happiness does not come from things; it comes from God and his eternal blessings of salvation. In the Temple, God teaches and performs the sacred covenant ordinances that lead to true and lasting joy. The leaders and people took Haggai’s words to heart and refocused their efforts.
Upon the completion of the Temple, many were disappointed because, in their minds, the glory of the second Temple did not compare to the splendor of the Temple that they had lost. Haggai reminded the people that rebuilding the Temple was a process, and that one day God’s Temple would be fully restored, in all its glory, and that the latter house would be greater than the former. However, until that time, Haggai counseled the people to remember their covenants and to be faithful in keeping them (in all aspects of their lives.) Haggai advised the people regarding the laws of Moses and challenged them to maintain ritual and moral purity. He encouraged the people to look forward to the fulfillment of God’s promised blessings and a brighter future.
Key verses and things to ponder:
In the CFH podcast, Anthony Sweat explained that Haggai made 4 Prophecies within four months. He categorized these prophecies into a pattern that outlines four principles that are regularly repeated by both ancient and modern prophets:
Accusation: (Ch 1) Where is the Temple? The Lord accuses the people of building houses for themselves, but they have neglected his house.
Expectation: (2:1-10) People had expectations of what the Temple should be, primarily regarding the outer appearance. Haggai reminded them to focus instead on the Lord and the Spirit of Peace they could feel and experience within the Temple. Haggai explained that one day all their hopes and expectations would be fully satisfied, but until then, Haggai encouraged the people to be faithful and to remember that the Lord was with them.
Invitation: (2:10-19) The Lord invites the priests and people to step up their game in observing ritual and purity laws in a “call to greater holiness.”
Celebration: (2:20-23) The Lord accepts the people's offering and prepares them to receive the Lord by granting them the authority to act in his name, according to the endowment given in the Temple. Dr. Sweat reminds us that receiving the endowment is like receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost: this is a directive, not something to be taken for granted. Even though we may have been confirmed or endowed on paper, the real blessings manifest themselves as we diligently strive to do the work required to receive them.
How can we apply Haggai’s admonition to “Consider our ways” today? How can this process be viewed in a positive light to help us continually refocus on the Savior while in the process refining ourselves? (D&C 50:24)
(~518-480 BC)
“Jehovah remembers”
From zakar זָכַר (H2142) and Yah יָהּ (H3050)
Zechariah worked alongside Haggai. His writings remind the people of the prophecies made by the prophet Jeremiah, who said that the exile would only last for 70 years. Chapter 1 begins with a vision where the Lord announces his return. An angel appears to Zechariah in a series of eight dreams that can be divided into four symmetrical (chiasmic) pairs (Chapters 1-9).
1 (1:1-17) & 8 (6:1-8) - Four horsemen. These are symbolic of God’s representatives and the Messianic Kingdom.
2 (1:18-21) & 7 (5:5-11) - Horns & an ephah. The horns symbolize sin, exile, and adversity. The Ephah is a unit of measurement. In the vision, the ephah is weighed against a talent of lead. This represents a balancing of the scales, where the righteousness of Israel is being tested. Israel appears as a woman, similar to the bride motif one regularly observes throughout scripture. Initially, Israel fails the test, but in vs. 9, another woman joins the first, and together they successfully lift the ephah into the heavens, with "wind in their wings." This symbolism is reminiscent of Ancient Israel and the New Jerusalem gathered on the Last Day. This imagery might remind one of the sticks of Judah and Ephraim joining together as an ensign to the nations. It also references Cherubim and seraphim, balancing the scales between Justice & Mercy, and fundamental principles of Good & Evil.
3 (2:1-13) & 6 (5:1-4) - Plumb line & flying scroll (a metaphor for the rebuilding of the New Jerusalem, the Lord’s Kingdom upon the Earth & purification through scripture)
4 (3:1-10) & 5 (4:1-14) Clothing & Candlestick. These symbols are related to Joshua, the High Priest & Zerubbabel, the royal descendant of David.
At the beginning of the vision, Joshua is clothed in filthy robes representing sin. The angel, who is Christ, instructs his servants to “take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him (Joshua) he said, “Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment” (3:4). Joshua is then clothed in the garments of the Holy Priesthood. The change in clothing represents the transformation of man through the power of the Atonement, from a fallen to a celestial state.
In 4:1-14, one reads a vision, like Nephi’s dream, where an angel instructs Zechariah regarding various symbols. Two candlesticks represent the Lord’s anointed stewards, one represents the high priesthood (through the cleansing power of the Atonement), and the other represents kingship, or the authority to govern. The responsibility of this pair is to serve God by serving his people; they are instructed to obey the voice of the Lord diligently, and admonished to not lead by might or power but instead by the Spirit. The Lord explains that if they do this, they will be successful.
Joshua and Zerubbabel metaphorically take the form of 2 olive trees, which provide anointing oil to fill and light the menorah. The angel explains that Joshua (the Hebrew form of the Greek name Jesus) is representative of the Messiah. If he serves faithfully, he will be known as a symbol of God’s grace, forgiveness, and salvation.
These visions are highly symbolic and provide a helpful foundation for studying the Book of Revelation, as many of these symbols cross over. There are also many significant uses of Temple imagery. The CFH podcast with Dr. Sweat covers some of those connections.
Chapter 8 Prophecies of the New Jerusalem. The purpose of the Temple is to prepare the people to receive the Lord, to prepare priests and priestesses who exemplify attributes of righteousness and charity, dedicated to the building up of God’s kingdom upon the Earth. This chapter describes in detail many of the characteristics that define his people.
Old men and women with staff in hand (staff symbolic of priesthood authority, a kingdom of priests and priestesses)
God dwells among them.
Safe streets for children
People exercise true judgment.
They show compassion
Stand for truth and righteousness.
Work hard
They hear and obey the words of the Prophets.
They make the Temple a priority.
Peacemakers
Prosperous and fruitful
Generous
Courageous
Repent regularly
Honest in their words and actions
Avoid evil speaking and contention.
Keep their word
Keep the law of the fast.
Assemble to observe the feast days
Cheerful
Lovers of truth
Seekers of knowledge
Actively seek the Lord.
They study and embrace the learning, language, and culture of the Jews
Chapters 9-12 These chapters paint a vivid kaleidoscope of various images that prophesy of the Messiah. Zechariah even details specific symbols and events that correspond with the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. One can easily identify many of these references:
Coming of the King, riding on a donkey
Teaching peace to foreign nations,
Miraculous feedings of the flock
A shepherd king that would be rejected by the corrupt leaders of Israel
One partaking a bitter cup
An account of betrayal for 30 pieces of silver
Crucifixion by a nail
Another violent destruction of Jerusalem, followed by another diaspora.
Chapters 13-14 offer an account of the Second Coming when God pours out a spirit of repentance. By that time, the idols of the past would be forgotten. The shepherd would be remembered, and people would ask, “What are these wounds in thine hands?” to which the shepherd will reply, “those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.” (D&C 45:48-61) Following a period of refinement, the shepherd will stand on the Mount of Olives and lead his people to victory. With the Temple rebuilt, all nations would once again flock to it and participate together in the ancient feasts of the Lord.
Key verses and things to ponder:
How are modern-day prophets preparing us to welcome the Savior when he comes again? How does Zechariah’s message relate to modern audiences?
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