Ezra 6:14

The beautiful fact, as we have already seen, is that the Jews had faith to resume the building of the house before they got this fresh decree. "And the elders of the Jews built and prospered" — not through the commandment of the king, but they prospered "through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo." For now that God had given them power, He also controlled all the ruling authorities, so that they now favoured His people.

It is important to notice these two classes — the builders and the prophets. These two kinds of service can never be confused. A builder cannot take up the work of a prophet, nor could a prophet trade his prophetic mantle for the builder's trowel... A builder is one whose work is to lay stones on the foundation. God uses him, through preaching or teaching, to gather souls and bring them as living stones to the foundation, which is Jesus Christ. A prophet does two things. He urges the people forward in their work by passing on the mind of God, and he tests everything by His word.

The reason is clear. The Holy Spirit was acting in power — first through the prophets, and then in the hearts of the builders, producing a response to the word of God that the prophets brought. All through the history of the kingdom, the nation prospered when they listened to the voices of their prophets. Every evil consequence flowed from ignoring these heaven-sent warnings. It is no different in the church of God. Whenever "the builders" listen to the prophets who unfold and apply the mind of God as revealed in His word, they prosper. Their work lasts, and they themselves receive blessing. But if they are careless of divine guidance and correction, and work after their own ideas, they only corrupt the work they are doing. They put wood, hay, and straw in the place of gold, silver, and precious stones. Their work may look greater, and even more prosperous, to human eyes. But a future day will test it, and the Lord alone is the judge of true prosperity in service.

Haggai's ministry stirred up the conscience of the people, urging them to consider their ways, which must have led them to seek His face. Zechariah is the prophet of glory. The vision of glory, the final victory of God's people, the coming of the King and the setting up of His kingdom, the future overthrow of all their enemies — all this became an inspiration for them. God's people need this twofold ministry, which is so abundantly supplied in the Word of God.

The authority of the great king came on the scene only to confirm God's word and His servants, and to force those who had tried to hinder the work to honour and help it. The commandment of the God of Israel had its just and primary place; and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes came in below it.

Everything was done, therefore, in obedience to God, and by the permission of the earthly power to which, by God's appointment, they were subject. What a privilege for these workmen to have laboured this way — and no small honour, we may add, for these Gentile monarchs to be linked with God's purposes and used to carry them out! No doubt the names of the kings are mentioned to show, for one reason, the value God attaches to the principle of obedience to constituted authority.