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The Postexilic Prophets |
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God used these men to confront and comfort his people after their return to their homeland from exile in Babylon. |
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Who? |
When? |
Ministered to These Contemporary Leaders |
Main Message |
Significance |
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Haggai |
520 b.c. |
Zerubbabel |
Encouraged the leaders and the people to continue rebuilding the Temple, which God would bless Challenged the people's careless worship, which God would not bless |
Disobedience and careless obedience of God's commands lead to judgment. |
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Zechariah |
520 b.c. |
Zerubbabel |
Emphasized God's command to rebuild his Temple Gave the people another look at God's plan to bless the world through Israel and its coming king—the Messiah (9:9, 10) |
Encouragement for today's effort sometimes requires that we remember God has a plan and purpose for tomorrow. Meanwhile the challenge is to live for him today. |
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Malachi |
430 b.c. |
The priests are the only leaders mentioned |
Confronted the people and priests with God's promises of judgment on those who reject him and God's blessing on those who live as he desires |
God expects our obedience to him to affect our attitude toward him and our treatment of one another. |