Prophets and Kings
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 46: "The Prophets of God Helping Them"
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God had commanded that Jerusalem be rebuilt,
but not without a promise that He would give
comfort and strength to His afflicted ones.
Illustration ©
Pacific Press Publ. Assoc. |
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Close by the Israelites who had set themselves to the task
of rebuilding the temple, dwelt the Samaritans, a mixed race that had sprung up
through the intermarriage of heathen colonists from the provinces of Assyria
with the remnant of the ten tribes which had been left in Samaria and Galilee.
In later years the Samaritans claimed to worship the true God, but in heart and
practice they were idolaters. It is true, they held that their idols were but
to remind them of the living God, the Ruler of the universe; nevertheless the
people were prone to reverence graven images. {PK 567.1}
During the period of the restoration, these Samaritans came
to be known as "the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin." Hearing that
"the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of
Israel," "they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the
fathers," and expressed a desire to unite with them in its erection.
"Let us build with you," they proposed; "for we seek your God,
as ye do; [568] and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of
Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither." But the privilege
they asked was refused them. "Ye have nothing to do with us to build an
house unto our God," the leaders of the Israelites declared; "but we
ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as King Cyrus the
king of Persia hath commanded us." Ezra 4:1-3. {PK 567.2}
Only a remnant had chosen to return from Babylon; and now,
as they undertake a work seemingly beyond their strength, their nearest
neighbors come with an offer of help. The Samaritans refer to their worship of
the true God, and express a desire to share the privileges and blessings
connected with the temple service. "We seek your God, as ye do," they
declare. "Let us build with you." But had the Jewish leaders accepted
this offer of assistance, they would have opened a door for the entrance of
idolatry. They discerned the insincerity of the Samaritans. They realized that
help gained through an alliance with these men would be as nothing in
comparison with the blessing they might expect to receive by following the
plain commands of Jehovah. {PK
568.1}
Regarding the relation that Israel should sustain to
surrounding peoples, the Lord had declared through Moses: "Thou shalt make
no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them: neither shalt thou make
marriages with them; . . . for they will turn away thy son from following
Me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lord be kindled
against you, and destroy thee suddenly." "Thou art an holy people
unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath [569] chosen
thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon
the earth." Deuteronomy 7:2-4; 14:2. {PK 568.2}
The result that would follow an entrance into covenant
relation with surrounding nations was plainly foretold. "The Lord shall
scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the
other," Moses had declared; "and there thou shalt serve other gods,
which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among
these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have
rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of
eyes, and sorrow of mind: and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and
thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: in
the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say,
Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt
fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see." Deuteronomy
28:64-67. "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God," the
promise had been, "thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy
heart and with all thy soul." Deuteronomy 4:29. {PK 569.1}
Zerubbabel and his associates were familiar with these and
many like scriptures; and in the recent captivity they had evidence after
evidence of their fulfillment. And now, having repented of the evils that had
brought upon them and their fathers the judgments foretold so plainly through
Moses; having turned with all the heart to God, and renewed their covenant
relationship with Him, they had been [570]
permitted to return to Judea, that they might restore that which had been
destroyed. Should they, at the very beginning of their undertaking, enter into
a covenant with idolaters? {PK
569.2}
"Thou shalt make no covenant with them," God had
said; and those who had recently rededicated themselves to the Lord at the
altar set up before the ruins of His temple, realized that the line of
demarcation between His people and the world is ever to be kept unmistakably
distinct. They refused to enter into alliance with those who, though familiar
with the requirements of God's law, would not yield to its claims. {PK 570.1}
The principles set forth in Deuteronomy for the instruction
of Israel are to be followed by God's people to the end of time. True prosperity
is dependent on the continuance of our covenant relationship with God. Never
can we afford to compromise principle by entering into alliance with those who
do not fear Him. {PK
570.2}
There is constant danger that professing Christians will
come to think that in order to have influence with worldlings, they must to a
certain extent conform to the world. But though such a course may appear to
afford great advantages, it always ends in spiritual loss. Against every subtle
influence that seeks entrance by means of flattering inducements from the
enemies of truth, God's people must strictly guard. They are pilgrims and
strangers in this world, traveling a path beset with danger. To the ingenious
subterfuges and alluring inducements held out to tempt from allegiance, they
must give no heed. {PK
570.3}
It is not the open and avowed enemies of the cause of [571]
God that are most to be feared. Those who, like the adversaries of Judah and
Benjamin, come with smooth words and fair speeches, apparently seeking for friendly
alliance with God's children, have greater power to deceive. Against such every
soul should be on the alert, lest some carefully concealed and masterly snare
take him unaware. And especially today, while earth's history is closing, the
Lord requires of His children a vigilance that knows no relaxation. But though
the conflict is a ceaseless one, none are left to struggle alone. Angels help
and protect those who walk humbly before God. Never will our Lord betray one
who trusts in Him. As His children draw near to Him for protection from evil,
in pity and love He lifts up for them a standard against the enemy. Touch them
not, He says; for they are Mine. I have graven them upon the palms of My hands.
{PK 570.4}
Untiring in their opposition, the Samaritans "weakened
the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, and hired
counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king
of Persia, even until the reign of Darius." Ezra 4:4, 5. By false reports
they aroused suspicion in minds easily led to suspect. But for many years the
powers of evil were held in check, and the people in Judea had liberty to
continue their work. {PK
571.1}
While Satan was striving to influence the highest powers in
the kingdom of Medo-Persia to show disfavor to God's people, angels worked in
behalf of the exiles. The controversy was one in which all heaven was
interested. Through the prophet Daniel we are given a glimpse of this mighty
struggle between the forces of good and the forces of evil. [572]
For three weeks Gabriel wrestled with the powers of darkness, seeking to
counteract the influences at work on the mind of Cyrus; and before the contest
closed, Christ Himself came to Gabriel's aid. "The prince of the kingdom
of Persia withstood me one and twenty days," Gabriel declares; "but,
lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there
with the kings of Persia." Daniel 10:13. All that heaven could do in
behalf of the people of God was done. The victory was finally gained; the
forces of the enemy were held in check all the days of Cyrus, and all the days
of his son Cambyses, who reigned about seven and a half years. {PK 571.2}
This was a time of wonderful opportunity for the Jews. The
highest agencies of heaven were working on the hearts of kings, and it was for
the people of God to labor with the utmost activity to carry out the decree of
Cyrus. They should have spared no effort to restore the temple and its
services, and to re-establish themselves in their Judean homes. But in the day
of God's power many proved unwilling. The opposition of their enemies was
strong and determined, and gradually the builders lost heart. Some could not
forget the scene at the laying of the cornerstone, when many had given
expression to their lack of confidence in the enterprise. And as the Samaritans
grew more bold, many of the Jews questioned whether, after all, the time had
come to rebuild. The feeling soon became widespread. Many of the workmen,
discouraged and disheartened, returned to their homes to take up the ordinary
pursuits of life. {PK
572.1}
During the reign of Cambyses the work on the temple
progressed slowly. And during the reign of the false Smerdis [573]
(called Artaxerxes in Ezra 4:7) the Samaritans induced the unscrupulous
impostor to issue a decree forbidding the Jews to rebuild their temple and
city. {PK 572.2}
For over a year the temple was neglected and well-nigh
forsaken. The people dwelt in their homes and strove to attain temporal
prosperity, but their situation was deplorable. Work as they might they did not
prosper. The very elements of nature seemed to conspire against them. Because
they had let the temple lie waste, the Lord sent upon their substance a wasting
drought. God had bestowed upon them the fruits of field and garden, the corn
and the wine and the oil, as a token of His favor; but because they had used
these bountiful gifts so selfishly, the blessings were removed. {PK 573.1}
Such were the conditions existing during the early part of
the reign of Darius Hystaspes. Spiritually as well as temporally, the
Israelites were in a pitiable state. So long had they murmured and doubted; so
long had they chosen to make personal interests first, while viewing with
apathy the Lord's temple in ruins, that many had lost sight of God's purpose in
restoring them to Judea; and these were saying, "The time is not come, the
time that the Lord's house should be built." Haggai 1:2. {PK 573.2}
But even this dark hour was not without hope for those whose
trust was in God. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah were raised up to meet the
crisis. In stirring testimonies these appointed messengers revealed to the
people the cause of their troubles. The lack of temporal prosperity was the
result of a neglect to put God's interests first, the prophets declared. Had
the Israelites honored God, had they shown Him due respect and courtesy, by
making the building of [574] His house their first work, they
would have invited His presence and blessing. {PK 573.3}
To those who had become discouraged, Haggai addressed the
searching inquiry, "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled
houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts;
Consider your ways." Why have you done so little? Why do you feel concern
for your own buildings and unconcern for the Lord's building? Where is the zeal
you once felt for the restoration of the Lord's house? What have you gained by
serving self? The desire to escape poverty has led you to neglect the temple,
but this neglect has brought upon you that which you feared. "Ye have sown
much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are
not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that
earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." Verses 4-6. {PK 574.1}
And then, in words that they could not fail to understand,
the Lord revealed the cause that had brought them to want: "Ye looked for
much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon
it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye
run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from
dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon
the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and
upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and
upon cattle, and upon all the labor of the hands." Verses 9-11. [575]
{PK 574.2}
"Consider your ways," the Lord urged. "Go up
to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure
in it, and I will be glorified." Verses 7, 8. {PK 575.1}
The message of counsel and reproof given through Haggai was
taken to heart by the leaders and people of Israel. They felt that God was in
earnest with them. They dared not disregard the repeated instruction sent them—that
their prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, was dependent on faithful
obedience to God's commands. Aroused by the warnings of the prophet, Zerubbabel
and Joshua, "with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the
Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet." Verse 12. {PK 575.2}
As soon as Israel decided to obey, the words of reproof were
followed by a message of encouragement. "Then spake Haggai . . .
unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord. And the Lord stirred up
the spirit of Zerubbabel" and of Joshua, and "of all the remnant of
the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their
God." Verses 13, 14. {PK
575.3}
In less than a month after the work on the temple was
resumed, the builders received another comforting message. "Be strong, O
Zerubbabel," the Lord Himself urged through His prophet; "be strong,
O Joshua; . . . and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the
Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts." Haggai 2:4. {PK 575.4}
To Israel encamped before Mount Sinai the Lord had declared:
"I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they
shall know that I am the Lord [576] their God, that brought them
forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the Lord
their God." Exodus 29:45, 46. And now, notwithstanding the fact that they
had repeatedly "rebelled, and vexed His Holy Spirit" (Isaiah 63:10),
God once more, through the messages of His prophet, was stretching out His hand
to save. As a recognition of their co-operation with His purpose, He was
renewing His covenant that His Spirit should remain among them; and He bade
them, "Fear not." {PK
575.5}
To His children today the Lord declares, "Be strong,
. . . and work: for I am with you." The Christian always has a
strong helper in the Lord. The way of the Lord's helping we may not know; but
this we do know: He will never fail those who put their trust in Him. Could
Christians realize how many times the Lord has ordered their way, that the
purposes of the enemy concerning them might not be accomplished, they would not
stumble along complainingly. Their faith would be stayed on God, and no trial
would have power to move them. They would acknowledge Him as their wisdom and
efficiency, and He would bring to pass that which He desires to work out
through them. {PK 576.1}
The earnest pleadings and the encouragements given through
Haggai were emphasized and added to by Zechariah, whom God raised up to stand
by his side in urging Israel to carry out the command to arise and build.
Zechariah's first message was an assurance that God's word never fails and a
promise of blessing to those who would hearken to the sure word of prophecy. [577]
{PK 576.2}
With fields lying waste, with their scant store of
provisions rapidly failing, and surrounded as they were by unfriendly peoples,
the Israelites nevertheless moved forward by faith in response to the call of
God's messengers, and labored diligently to restore the ruined temple. It was a
work requiring firm reliance upon God. As the people endeavored to do their
part, and sought for a renewal of God's grace in heart and life, message after message
was given them through Haggai and Zechariah, with assurances that their faith
would be richly rewarded and that the word of God concerning the future glory
of the temple whose walls they were rearing would not fail. In this very
building would appear, in the fullness of time, the Desire of all nations as
the Teacher and Saviour of mankind. {PK 577.1}
Thus the builders were not left to struggle alone;
"with them were the prophets of God helping them;" and the Lord of
hosts Himself had declared, "Be strong, . . . and work: for I am
with you." Ezra 5:2; Haggai 2:4. {PK 577.2}
With heartfelt repentance and a willingness to advance by
faith, came the promise of temporal prosperity. "From this day," the
Lord declared, "will I bless you." Verse 19. {PK 577.3}
To Zerubbabel their leader—he who, through all the
years since their return from Babylon, had been so sorely tried—was
given a most precious message. The day was coming, the Lord declared, when all
the enemies of His chosen people would be cast down. "In that day, saith
the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, My servant, . . .
and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee." Verse 23. Now the
governor of Israel could see the meaning [578] of the
providence that had led him through discouragement and perplexity; he could
discern God's purpose in it all. {PK 577.4}
This personal word to Zerubbabel has been left on record for
the encouragement of God's children in every age. God has a purpose in sending
trial to His children. He never leads them otherwise than they would choose to
be led if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory of
the purpose that they are fulfilling. All that He brings upon them in test and
trial comes that they may be strong to do and to suffer for Him. {PK 578.1}
The messages delivered by Haggai and Zechariah roused the
people to put forth every possible effort for the rebuilding of the temple;
but, as they worked, they were sadly harassed by the Samaritans and others who
devised many hindrances. On one occasion the provincial officers of the
Medo-Persian realm visited Jerusalem and requested the name of the one who had
authorized the restoration of the building. If at that time the Jews had not
been trusting in the Lord for guidance, this inquiry might have resulted
disastrously to them. "But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the
Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to
Darius." Ezra 5:5. The officers were answered so wisely that they decided
to write a letter to Darius Hystaspes, then the ruler of Medo-Persia, directing
his attention to the original decree made by Cyrus, which commanded that the
house of God at Jerusalem be rebuilt, and that the expenses for the same be
paid from the king's treasury. [579] {PK 578.2}
Darius searched for this decree, and found it; whereupon he
directed those who had made the inquiry to allow the rebuilding of the temple
to proceed. "Let the work of this house of God alone," he commanded;
"let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house
of God in his place. {PK
579.1}
"Moreover," Darius continued, "I make a
decree what ye shall do to the elders of these Jews for the building of
this house of God: that of the king's goods, even of the tribute beyond the
river, forthwith expenses be given unto these men, that they be not hindered.
And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for
the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according
to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem, let it be given them
day by day without fail: that they may offer sacrifices of sweet savors unto
the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons."
Ezra 6:7-10. {PK 579.2}
The king further decreed that severe penalties be meted out
to those who should in any wise alter the decree; and he closed with the
remarkable statement: "The God that hath caused His name to dwell there
destroy all kings and people, that shall put to their hand to alter and to
destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree;
let it be done with the speed." Verse 12. Thus the Lord prepared the way
for the completion of the temple. {PK 579.3}
For months before this decree was made, the Israelites had
kept on working by faith, the prophets of God still helping them by means of
timely messages, through which [580] the divine purpose for Israel
was kept before the workers. Two months after Haggai's last recorded message
was delivered, Zechariah had a series of visions regarding the work of God in
the earth. These messages, given in the form of parables and symbols, came at a
time of great uncertainty and anxiety, and were of peculiar significance to the
men who were advancing in the name of the God of Israel. It seemed to the
leaders as if the permission granted the Jews to rebuild was about to be
withdrawn; the future appeared very dark. God saw that His people were in need
of being sustained and cheered by a revelation of His infinite compassion and
love. {PK 579.4}
In vision Zechariah heard the angel of the Lord inquiring,
"O Lord of hosts, how long wilt Thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on
the cities of Judah, against which Thou hast had indignation these threescore
and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me,"
Zechariah declared, "with good words and comfortable words. {PK 580.1}
"So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry
thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for
Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that
are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the
affliction. Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with
mercies: My house shall be built in it, . . . and a line shall be
stretched forth upon Jerusalem." Zechariah 1:12-16. {PK 580.2}
The prophet was now directed to predict, "Thus saith
the [581]
Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the
Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem." Verse 17. {PK 580.3}
Zechariah then saw the powers that had "scattered
Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem," symbolized by four horns. Immediately
afterward he saw four carpenters, representing the agencies used by the Lord in
restoring His people and the house of His worship. See verses 18-21. {PK 581.1}
"I lifted up mine eyes again," Zechariah said,
"and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. Then said
I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what
is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof. And, behold, the angel
that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, and
said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be
inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be
the glory in the midst of her." Zechariah 2:1-5. {PK 581.2}
God had commanded that Jerusalem be rebuilt; the vision of
the measuring of the city was an assurance that He would give comfort and
strength to His afflicted ones, and fulfill to them the promises of His
everlasting covenant. His protecting care, He declared, would be like "a
wall of fire round about;" and through them His glory would be revealed to
all the sons of men. That which He was accomplishing for His people was to be
known in all the earth. "Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for
great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." Isaiah 12:6. {PK 581.3}
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"Joshua and the Angel"
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