Under Construction: Lessons From the Book of HaggaiExemple

Do God’s promises come true?

The book of Haggai ends with promises to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. This man was from the royal line of David, so he should have been Israel’s king. But since the Persian empire was still ruling over Israel, he was only a governor. Now God promises that the oppression by foreign nations will come to an end and Zerubbabel will receive royal authority.

But history shows that Israel did not get political independence and Zerubbabel never became a king! Even in Jesus’ days, some 500 years later, the Israelites were still oppressed by a foreign empire. So, did God break His promise?

No. He did not. Matthew draws our attention to a man from Zerubbabel’s royal line: Jesus Christ. He is the King of Glory who will rule the nations and whose reign will never end. He will be given the throne of His father David. In Him, God’s promise comes true. The prophecy was not focused on Zerubbabel personally but on his position as heir of David’s throne, and was passed on over the generations to Jesus’ birth.

We can’t always foresee how and when God fulfills His promises, but we can be sure He does!