Arise and Build

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Text: Ezra 6:14 (NIV)

INTRODUCTION

Last week we saw that by means of His servants the prophet, The Jews were encouraged to continue, defy the Kings decree and completed the building project in 4 years, 5months and 10days despite 16years of stagnation, conspiracies and intimation. The prophets message brought boldness and speed such that the time that the caterpillar and palmerworm had eaten were restored. But, what was the message of the prophets to the people? How did the people respond to those prophetic messages? Let us examine closely.

1. Ezra 6:14
……. Through the prophesying of …….. KJV
…….. “ “ Preaching of ……… NIV
…….. Encouraged by the prophets ……..TEV
……. Greatly Encouraged by the prophets.. LB&NLT
Please Remember: II Chro.20:20; II Chro.26:5 & Hos.12:13.

2. What was the Content of the Prophecy or Preaching? –Hag.1
a. Heg.1:4 – … is it time ….
b. V5 – … consider your ways
c. V6 – … the reason why things haven’t gone as they should
d. V7-8 – …. The temple should be built
e. V9 – … They were not as prosperous as they should.
f. V10-11 – …a drought was called in judgment on them.

3. What prompted the message?
a. Their attitude and excuses – Hag.1:2,9b
b. Their reasoning -Hag.1:3-4
c. Their living below divine desires.

4. Implications of a Drought
a. Are things not going the way they should in our lives and business? In spite of all our prayers and fastings?
· Is the Lord saying something? – Amos 3:3-8
b. Shouldn’t we put the Lord and His House first?
· He will cause provision to come – Matt.6:31-33
· He will multiply our seed sown – 2Cor.9:6-11
· He will extend His hands in our direction
· We will avoid his loving discipline
Hag.1:9-11; 1Cor.11:31-32; Heb.12:5-11

5. The Challenge and the promise
a. Go to the mountain, bring wood and build – Hag.1:8
b. God Promises to take pleasure in your labour, 2Chor.15:7,Psm.67:1
c. From you He will get Glory resulting in– Ezra 5:5, 2Chor.16:9
d. They started inspite of opposition – Hag.115;
e. They completed the temple in the face of silenced opposition – Ezra 6:14,Exo.14:13, 1Kings 17:10-16

Dr. Udoh
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