SOAP Ezra 5: Fighting Words

Fighting Words

EZRA 5

Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.

At that time Tattenai, governor of Trans-Euphrates, and Shethar-Bozenai and their associates went to them and asked, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?”

‭‭Ezra‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I have never done this before but as I read this chapter and saw the names of the minor prophets mentioned I knew I should head over and read them. So hang tight and catch the prophetic words and we’ll unpack in a minute.

Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, gave this message of the Lord to the people: “I am with you,” declares the Lord. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God,

‭‭Haggai‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭9‬, ‭11‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The prophetic word went out and the people responded and obeyed.

What I noticed is something I have experienced before but this just seemed more poignant, than times past.

When God speaks, it is a seed (a word) that needs to be contended for, because the enemy doesn’t want it to be planted in good soil.

Check out Matthew 13:1-8, 18-23 for a biblical reference. I also am grateful for the example Jesus gave us in this area. Right after Jesus was baptized the heavens opened and God’s voice audibly said “This is my Son whom I am well pleased.”

Almost immediately after Jesus was tempted him with the question: “if you are the son of God”.

I’m here to tell you to contend for that promise. Fight for that word to bear a harvest. It’s worth it! Yes, you heard Him say.

PRAYER: Thank You for Your Word! Thank You that You are still speaking and Your children are still listening. Plant your Word in our hearts of good soil, tended, and weed free. Have Your way, we give You our surrendered hearts and intentions. In Jesus name, amen.