pe.rticule.r moment-God's prophets were commissioned to recognise and address them e.s such. Well might the people listen, that being the case. The purport, also, of the message thus sent to them was just as much to the point. A mere glance at the extant prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah will suffice to show this. The prophecies sent, e. g., were just what was needed-I. In the way of appeal. "Thus ee.ith the Lord of hosts, Consider" (Haggai i. 5); so again i. 7," Consider;" so, twice over, and with a special note of urgency, in ii. 18: "Consider now from this day and upward ... consider." Consider what you are doing, and what you ought to be doing, in your present circumstances. Consider their meaning and message, and what they are now saying to you, in effect. 2. In the way of interpretation and expl,anation. This is what these circumstances are saying to you, viz., that it is "time " to build the Lord's house (Haggai i. 1-3). There is no further change to be waited for. Now, under your present ruler, is the "time" to begin. Your recent blessings mean this ( eh. i. 4). Your present trials mean it too (ibid. vers. 6-11 ). Thus did prophecy, in this case, interpret Providence, e.nd explain the "signs," as it were, of those "times." 3. In the way of promise. Our present history seems to speak of this particularly in the end of ver. 2-" the prophets of God helping them." The first result of tbP- appeal e.nd remonstrance above spoken of seems to have been a feeling of "fear" (Haggai i. end of ver. 12). As soon as this began to manifest itself (see middle of same verse) in a spirit of obedience, the voice of promise was heard. " Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD" (eh. i. 13). Within a short month after (comp. eh. i. 15 and ii. 1) came another and larger promise ( eh. ii. 2-9) ; and two others again from the same prophet in about two months from that time. Besides that notable series of eight prophetic visions, mainly of hope and encouragement, from the prophet Zechariah, before the close of the same year (Zech. i. 7-vi. 15). So plentifully was this precious dew vouchsafed at this special season of growth ; and so harmoniously did all these various changes, dispensations, and voices work together for this revival of God's work. From these considerations we see-1. The duty of studying God's works: his works in providence, and in nature too, so far as we he.ve opportunities for so doing, because in all of them he has something to say to us, if we are only able to under- stand it. This applies especially to those works or doings of God which concern our o,vn persons and times, because we may almost say ot such doings that they are presented to us for study. Note the comparison on this subject between nature and providence in Matt. xvi. 2, 3; and sell 1 Chron. xii. 32. 2. The duty of listening to Goa& word. Partly on account of the clearer significance which it gives to God's works; partly because of the additional message which it brings of its own. For the language of some of God's works see Pa. xix. 1-6, and comp. Rom. i. 19, 20. For the further language of God's word see same Ps. 7-9. Compare also, as showing the specially exalted and complementary character of prophecy or revelation, the remarkable declaration of Ps. cxxxviii. 2, and 2 Pet. i. 19-21. The dark page of God's doings (for so it is to us,.see Pa. xcvii. 2) should never be neglected; but it never can be safely interpreted apart from the plainer pe.ge of his word. We may also see from these considerations what is-3. The central topic of all prophecy. The building of God's house by God's Israel pointed forward in manifold ways to the coming and work of God's Son. The.t house was a well-known type of his body (John ii. 19-21). In that restored house he himself was to appear (Haggai ii. 7; Mai. iii. 1 ; Luke ii. 25-30). And out of that figurative "house" or family of Israel, as their peculiar crown and salvation, and as a blessing to all other families on earth, he was to arise. When, therefore, the work of building tl111t house, under apparently hopeless circumstances, has to be revived, how fittingly does the spirit of prophecy suddenly reappear on the scene, to stimulate, direct, and encourage these men, who were, virtually, building for all mankind in building for their own Messiah. It may remind us of those well-known passages, John v. 39; Acts x. 43; Rev. xix. 10. May it teach us also to give that adore.hie Saviour a 11imilarly pre-eminent place in our thoughts I
•• 68 THE BOOK OF EZRA. [CH. V. 11 2,