All posts by Richard Harrell

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About Richard Harrell

Connecting life, art, and the power of story in ways that change my world. I am a disciple-maker and lover of Jesus living in a small town in Georgia. I am also on a spiritual journey, looking for points in life that point me to new and full life in Christ Jesus.

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes & Small Group Questions: John 3:16-21

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT) John 3:16-21

v. 16 For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who puts their faith in Him should not perish but instead have eternal life.

v. 17 After all, God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but for the express purpose that the world could be saved through Him.

v. 18 Whoever puts their faith in Him is no longer under judgment; but whoever has not put their faith in Him already lives under judgment for this very reason: they have not put their faith in the one and only Son of God.

v. 19 This, then, is the judgment: The Light has come into the world, but people more willingly loved the darkness instead of the light for they were occupied with wickedness.

v. 20 For each person continually practicing evil despises the light and does not step into the light; otherwise, what they are occupied with is uncovered.

v. 21 But, everyone who keeps doing what is true steps into the light; that way, the deeds they are occupied with might be revealed for what they are, by the hand of  God.

v. 16 For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who puts their faith in Him should not perish but instead have eternal life.

Some commentators feel that, beginning with this sentence, Jesus quits talking and John begins his comments on the meeting. There is no indication that Jesus has left off; he knows who he is and what he came to accomplish. Jesus is giving us the “establishing shot” of the Good News of the Kingdom. It does read easier as a Johannine aside.

John’s use of agape is his trademark word for what God the Father is doing through Jesus. He loves. That he loves the world, that is all the people of the earth, is news to the religious leaders who assume they are the only lovable ones. Do you ever think of yourself as “loveable?” God. Loves. You. Romans 8:32.

This passage captures the intimacy of the Triune God, the essence of God’s plan, the depth of his love, the reach of his provision, the power of His redemption and the severity of the enemy’s hold on man.

For God – 1 Thess 5:23, So loved – Romans 5:8, The world – 2 Cor 5:19, He gave – dozens of times in John’s Gospel, “the father sent me,” His one and only Son – Hebrews 1:2, whoever – Romans 5:6, believes in Him – 1 John 5:13, not perish – 2 Peter 3:9, have life – John 10:10, John 1:12.

v. 17 After all, God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but for the express purpose that the world could be saved through Him.

Every nation; not just the Jewish people. He came to revolutionize the world, one nation, one tribe, one tongue at a time.

While Jesus’ coming lays out a clear choice for salvation and restoration to all people, and those who refuse or ignore will be separated and judged, it is not for this judgment that Jesus came; it is for salvation, for love, for relationship for a lifetime.

Condemn may be better as judge, in order to fit the rest of Jesus’ argument. He didn’t come to bring judgment; he came to save.

God sent, as it God, the one who enters at the demand of another a new place of people. Apostello – God the Father sends (apostello) Jesus on mission.

v. 18 Whoever puts their faith in Him is not under judgment; but whoever has not put their faith in Him already lives under judgment for this very reason: they have not put their faith in the one and only Son of God.

An interesting aside: the dark isn’t bad when it conceals good deeds from the eyes of evil people who might pursue for harm. Keeping actions in the dark when those very actions might, if seen, bring harm; that is a time when we ask God to make them obscure.

This verse is a dividing line. Those who have light poured in, who have life; or those who keep their pursuits in the darn,

v. 19 This, then, is the judgment: The Light has come into the world, but people more willingly loved the darkness instead of the light for they were occupied with wickedness.

Occupied is the same word for works. Occupied might fit better since this verse is discussing what we keep on working on. If my works are the continual focus of darkness without ever seeking the light, then judgment is certain.

They are enamored with the light and the values it brings; but they hate the Light, the personality of God’s own Son. Could it be that those in darkness want what the light brings but only if they can manufacture it themselves? John 5:35 They loved, that is, they were enamored with, the light for a time, but rejected it in the end.

v. 20 For each person continually practicing evil despises the light and does not step into the light; otherwise, what they are occupied with is uncovered.

Evil in verse 19 is a harsher word than here in verse 20. Here, evil means fruitless or meaningless. If we occupy our lives with things worthless and that have no substance, we are despising light and hope to keep our practices under cover.

“practicing evil” as in the works of the individual that ignore God’s ways and truth.

v. 21 But, everyone who keeps doing what is true steps into the light; that way, the deeds they are occupied with might be revealed for what they are, by the hand of  God.

The word for doing in the context of evil and good is different. One means to keep practicing evil; the other could mean pursuing good.  “Do truth” means that our pursuits are based on the truth of God’s Word morally and of value to the Kingdom.

The deeds are what aligns with God’s ways and are empowered by his hand. When we do good in His name, He empowers it beyond our own capacities.

In the film industry, the establishing shot is the context builder. It establishes the person in context to location and tone as well as the time period and feel of the coming shots. They give sweeping, wide focus to what the main character will face.

Your life and mine is God’s writing his story into us and through us. Our testimony. Our relationship is in context with the Gospel of the Kingdom, the ultimate story.

Small Group Discussion:

  1. Do you have a favorite movie character that, if you could, you would become? Why?
  2. John 3:16 is the possibly the most famous verse in the Bible. When did you first see it? When did you first discover what it means to you? Or are you still trying to find out about it?
  3. Jesus gives everyone the same starting point in life according to v. 18. What does this say?
  4. What is God’s solution in these verses for us to know Him?
  5. Do you ever think of yourself as “loveable?” In light of John 3:16, how does God see you?
  6. What is going on in your life that you need God’s touch or provision for?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes and Teaching on Fasting

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

(PRT) Matthew 6:16-21, 33-34

v. 16 And again, when you fast don’t act out like the hypocrites, all gloomy with faces twisted up in pain so they look like they haven’t eaten for days. In all honesty, they get what they deserve.

vv. 17-18 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so you don’t looking like you’re fasting; but fast to seek your Father without attracting attention, and your Father who sees what is done secretly will restore to you what you seek.

vv. 19-20 Don’t surround yourself with the world’s riches, where it can be consumed by moths or rust or where robbers can break in and steal it. Instead, lay up for yourselves riches in heaven where neither moths nor rust can consume it and where robbers don not break in and steal.

v. 21 For the place your treasure will be is where your heart will be, too.

v. 34 So, before everything else, seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to  you.

v. 35 Don’t be troubled by tomorrow’s concerns for tomorrow will be concerned enough for itself; each day will have concerns enough.

  1. Pure and Simple on Purpose. Life can get complicated, right? And there is a tangible release when we simplify and declutter our lives. Following Jesus is a simple and uncluttered process. And our passage today nudges us toward simplicity, making our values what the Kingdom values and how this practice of fasting pleases the Father and changes our hearts. But life can still be complicated, hurried, busy.
  2. For some of us, we follow Jesus in the midst of a complex and busy life. We invite His presence and nearness, his wisdom, his grace, into the busy-ness. And each time in that busy-ness that we take a moment to love someone or listen or give hope sets our lives apart from the world. And our choice to pace our walk to His tempo stands out in the world. The peace He gives in the midst of the storm, the busyness, becomes the light and becomes salt to those around us.
  3. For some of us, we follow Jesus by making our lives less complex and hurried. We look for ways to regain time with Him, time to listen to Him and be still,  and to respond to his voice by serving others, loving others and giving hope.

Salt and Light is what we are because of Who’s we are.

  • And because we belong to Him and seek Him and follow Him, Jesus scatters us as salt and displays us as light. And it comes naturally because He is present in our lives and we belong to Him.

And in our passage, Jesus encourages us to practice this discipline in order to know Him better and to more effectively be salt and light to our world.

  • Try Fasting. Jesus says,

v. 16 And again, when you fast don’t act out like the hypocrites, all gloomy with faces twisted up in pain so they look like they haven’t eaten for days. In all honesty, they get what they deserve.

vv. 17-18 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so you don’t looking like you’re fasting; but fast to seek your Father without attracting attention, and your Father who sees what is done secretly will restore to you what you seek.

When we fast He restores what we seek, He gives what we need, He opens us up to His gifts and blessings.

What is this practice called fasting? And why is it important for us today?

  • Maybe starting with what it is not might help. Some may go on a hunger strike to seek to bring about political or social change. Others might fast and try to find the divine within. Still others might fast to cleanse their bodies. That’s not what Jesus is talking about.
  • Fasting is focused first on loving and drawing near to Jesus. It’s not mainly to get from God but to give ourselves anew to God. We might ask for God’s provision; but it’s first about God’s will and the values of the Kingdom.
  • And Jesus says twice here – when you fast, when you fast. It’s expected. It’s not commanded here, but he expects that we will. The spiritual value makes it a part of the practice of being Salt and Light in our world.
  • It so valuable, so much a part of the Christian walk that Right before, Jesus talks about “when you pray.” And just before that he teaches on “when you give.” And here he says “when you fast.” So what is fasting all about?
    • Personal fasting – we might fast for a special prayer request, for a friend or family member, or a big choice facing us.
      • Fasting may become a regular part of your devotional life. You fast a day a week for instance. John Wesley asked all who served in the ministry to fast Wednesdays and Fridays.
      • Response to the need to repent. A sin that nags our lives. And we need to live above and past this sin or temptation. And we fast and pray to place this behind us.
      • Urgent need to battle the enemy. We sense that the enemy is attacking our lives, our family. And we fast and pray to attain victory against the tempter or the accuser. Illustration: Jesus at one point cast out an evil spirit, then explained to his disciples how prayer and fasting works to push the darkness out.
      • Need to follow God’s call on your life. He has been speaking about a fresh and renewed call to serve or to go or to lead. And we need to seek the Father’s blessing and wisdom in this pursuit of His calling on our lives.
      • Face an emergency. There is a crisis in our lives that we face and we need to fast and seek God’s provision to avert this danger.
      • Or we may be facing an enormous task or beginning a new journey. And we want to dedicate this to God and ask that it honor Him and bring the values of the Kingdom to your life.

Do you have an enormous task? Are you facing a new journey or challenge? Is God stirring up a fresh task or call for you? Have you faced temptation or battled the enemy this week? Has God revealed the need for repentance and forgiveness?

Try Fasting:  How do we make this happen practically.

  • Don’t start with grand  and long plans. Don’t start with a lot of days. Fast for one day and Fast to listen and to draw near to Jesus. One day (eat dinner one day and then dinner the next.)
  • Keep your day job. Do what you normally do, but pace the day in a way that you can listen to the Spirit, listen to who is in front of you, and see what God might do throughout the day.
  • Take the time for meals to worship, to read Scripture, to pray. Invite God’s presence. Ask him for what you long for. And see who He puts near so you can serve those He puts before you.
  • United fasting – we might join with others in union to fast for a season and for a reason.
    • A need before us for wisdom, for guidance, and for provision.
    • A response to a call to repent and invite God’s healing for our church or for our nation. Illustration: Did you know that General Washington six weeks before the signing of the Declaration called for a day of fasting and prayer for the united colonies.
    • A response to an emergency or tragedy. And ask for God’s healing and provision together. Esther called for a three day fast when the lives of all Jewish people were threatened.
    • An invitation to God to revive His church, pour out His gifts and His Spirit, and to use our nation or church to reach the nations.
  • When we fast and pray, we see life and truth more simply and clearly. And when we fast and pray together, God magnifies that life and truth. We know He is present and answering when we are alone; but when we fast and pray together, that unity acts like a magnifier.   It’s like He causes us to zoom in on what is important and what lasts, and the things that may seem urgent or threatening or calling for our time and money become less important and less a voice in our lives.
  • When we fast, whatever is deep down inside us that we keep hidden or covered by things, busyness, food, addictions, bad relationships, or more. Those things surface and come to light. 1 Corinthians 6 says that we have freedom in all things, but nothing will control or enslave us.

Church, our nation needs us to pray and to fast and to seek God’s healing. Our God is both holy and compassionate.  And we as a church and nation need to pray and fast because repentance is a good thing and mercy is needed.

My application to you in this is simple. I want you to choose a day this week and try fasting. If medically, you have a reason to avoid this, please do. Otherwise,  take a day and choose to fast. I’m on for tomorrow. Because repentance is good – I need it. And our church needs a deeper experience of God’s presence. And our nation needs the intervention of the God of holiness and compassion.

(Sunday, June 26th, this message was chosen especially in light of the US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade just three days prior. It’s a day to rejoice and a day to pray. Here is my charge for this week:

Sunday, I taught on fasting and prayer and then challenged each of you to join in a day of fasting and prayer for personal needs and for our nation. At the signing of our nation’s Bill of Rights, Washington called for a Day of Prayer for our salvation and, among other things, the will and wisdom “to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness.” (nationaldayofprayer.org).

We have much to be grateful, rejoice in and at the same time, ask for forgiveness for – we celebrate life and the wisdom of our highest court who ended the nationally mandated act of abortion. And we grieve that it took 49 years, and in those years the words, talents, accomplishments, and voices lifted in truth and worship of millions were silenced.

Pray and fast with us, thanking God for the men and women who were bold in truth to overturn a devastating decision a half a century ago. Let’s ask God to revive us, heal our land, protect our nation, and restore His call to us to represent Him well to our world.)

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Matthew 5:17-20

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

PRT Matthew 5:17-20

v. 17 Don’t even consider that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I came not to overthrow and dismiss them but to satisfy and fulfill them.

v. 18 For I tell you this very truth: until heaven and earth come to an end, neither the smallest letter nor the tiniest accent point will disappear until all these things will happen.

v. 19 for this reason, anyone breaks even the smallest of these commandments or teaches others to do the same, will be the smallest in the Kingdom of Heaven. But here’s the one who will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven: everyone who does what it says and teaches others to do the same.

v. 20 For I tell you that, unless your right actions and right relationship with God extends beyond the standards of the legal experts and Pharisees, you won’t even enter the doors of heaven.

Study Notes:

v. 17 Don’t even consider that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I came not to overthrow and dismiss them but to satisfy and fulfill them.

Jesus is answering an unspoken question here (or perhaps he heard the rumblings of this statement about tearing down the law and prophets – it later became one of the big accusations. He didn’t destroy (he wrote them!) The word is to break down, dissolve, dismiss, abolish. He came to fulfill the prophets and satisfy the law.

This word destroy is a word picture of someone taking down a tabernacle or tent into pieces. He came to fulfill, that is fill to the fullest, the Law and Prophets.

Light plays a huge role in demonstrating the effect of the Kingdom on people, churches, cultures, generations, etc. We are brought into the light, become the light of the world, and are indwelt by the Spirit of Jesus, the Light of the world.

Ephesians 4 “we were in darkness and now we walk as children of light.”

Philippians 2:15 “you shine as lights to the world.”

1 Peter 2 “we are called out of darkness and into His wonderful light.”

Read this in context with v. 15-16 – what we do is in the light, not to show us to the world, but to show Jesus to the world. Matthew says the light is on the stand where everyone in the house can see the light. Luke says the light is on the stand so that everyone who enters into the house can see. He satisfies the reason people grasp for religion and rules. Jesus completes the prophetic.

v. 18 For I tell you this very truth: until heaven and earth come to an end, neither the smallest letter nor the tiniest accent point will disappear until all these things will happen.

The smallest letter of the Hebrew language is the “yod” – no bigger than an apostrophe. The accent point in Greek is the little marking that might distinguish letter and pronunciations. These accents were not widely used in the marketplace since most wrote in Uncial; and after all, it was their language.

Here, the word is not everlasting but sufficient until heaven and earth disappear. At that point, we will as Paul says, “know in full.” Until God brings it all to the culmination, not even an accent point will be canceled.

v. 19 for this reason, anyone breaks even the smallest of these commandments or teaches others to do the same, will be the smallest in the Kingdom of Heaven. But here’s the one who will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven: everyone who does what it says and teaches others to do the same.

Remember that the legal experts and teachers had set the laws in major and minor categories – greater laws and lesser laws with corresponding ramifications. Some says 613, but these are what Moses said to do or not do. The “for all time” laws are the big ten.

The “least” in the kingdom is a word that can mean littlest or smallest; the person who chooses to live contrary to God’s parameters and/or takes others in the same direction chooses a “small” life here, and the “smallest” life in eternity.

It’s choosing to live in the light. Luke adds some insight here; our acts give light to the world and cause the lost to bring glory to God. Our eyes are our light in Jesus’ parables; and we let light in by what we choose to give witness to; or we let “dark” into our eyes by what we feed on.

The big question on everyone’s mind, then, if the Pharisees and the teachers of the law aren’t in, who will be? Nobody wants to be small; so who will be great? Jesus answers: you who do and teach (demonstration, proclamation.) the Pharisees (Matthew 23:3) taught but clearly didn’t do. That’s why he said the next sentence.

v. 20 For I tell you that, unless your right actions and right relationship with God extends beyond the standards of the legal experts and Pharisees, you won’t even enter the doors of heaven.

These are the comments that endeared Jesus to the people and drew the ire of the temple leaders. This would also fly in the face of “common wisdom” that the Pharisees and legal experts were the examples to follow; Jesus says it’s the exact opposite. It’s like the lovers of the law were approaching heaven, but couldn’t see what stopped them (unforgiven sin – they needed a Savior.)

  1. Have you ever been in a place that was completely, utterly, dark? How did it make you feel?
  2. Do you have a favorite Bible verse? What is it? Why is it so meaningful to you?
  3. How do you “let light in” to your life through using the Bible? What practices do you do now? What do you need to begin practicing?
  4. What can you do the avoid places that make your life smaller and darker?
  5. What kinds of “beautiful deeds” do you like doing for others to help them experience the love of the Savior?
  6. How can others help you through prayer and encouragement?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Matthew 5:13-16 The Salt and Light Life

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(PRT) Matthew 5:13-16

v. 13 You are the salt of the earth! If, however, it becomes stale and unsavory how can it become useful salt again; its salty strength is gone, only useful to be dumped out along the pathway for people to trample on.

v. 14 You are the light of the world! It’s not possible to hide a city built on a hilltop;

v. 15 Neither do people kindle a lamp and set it aside under a bowl or hidden behind a basket. Instead, they set it on the lamp pedestal, so it shines out for everyone who is in the house.

v. 16 In the same way, let your light shine out where people are so that they might see your beautiful deeds and they will give praise to your Father in heaven.

Pastor Rick’s Notes:

v. 13 You are the salt of the earth! If, however, it becomes stale and unsavory how can it become useful salt again; its salty strength is gone, only useful to be dumped out along the pathway for people to trample on.

You singular as in each of you, listen, you and you and you are the salt, are the light. This is throughout these verses. Jesus is speaking to each person in an intimate way, calling out their potential found in following Him.

This is an either/or illustration. Jesus doesn’t hold out the option to be a dim flicker or a barely salty salt. We are the light; we are the salt. The world counts on it and the Kingdom sends us to it.

Salt typically is very stable and doesn’t break down; but it can deteriorate in its usefulness if around water, or other elements. He is talking about the taste, but much more. Salt is a preservative. Stops decay. A healing agent. Brings taste to life. But if it becomes stale, it becomes the waste thrown into the pathway.

Some salts can lose effectiveness and savor; this would be spilled out on the walkways when it rained to keep people from slipping.

v. 14 You are the light of the world! It’s not possible to hide a city built on a hilltop;

Jesus is using hyperbole here. How ludicrous that someone would imagine making invisible the city that is built on top of a hill?

Likewise, can you imagine someone full of His light who, when out with people, doesn’t shine?

Philippians 2:15 – we are luminaries lighting the way to the Savior for a world to follow.

v. 15 Neither do people kindle a lamp and set it aside under a bowl or hidden behind a basket. Instead, they set it on the lamp pedestal, so it shines out for everyone who is in the house.

If they light the wick and the oil starts to burn from the lamp, it’s a waste to hide it behind stuff or place a bowl over it. Logically, we light our lamps and place them so all can see.

Interesting parallel: In Matthew, the Gospel to the Jews, he says the light is for every “in the house;” Luke says “for those who are entering in” meaning the nations, true to his Gospel’s purpose and audience to make the Gospel plain to the Gentiles.

For wealthy residences, there may be a lampstand that can be moved around. Jesus had been to wealthy homes before. For most homes, especially in the countryside, there would be a pedestal stone built to stick out where the clay lamp could be placed after lighting so all could see each other. Finding that “pedestal” or “lamp placement” is the sweet spot for the Christian. Where best to place a light than in the middle of a dark place?

v. 16 In the same way, let your light shine out where people are so that they might see your beautiful deeds and they will give praise to your Father in heaven.

Some may have a problem reconciling this with a later passage when Jesus says to do what you do and give and pray without others seeing you. In this passage, we do our “beautiful deeds” for people, and those around see God at work – we point praise where it’s due.

Small Group Study Questions:

  1. Where have you been when it was the most dark? What was it like?
  2. If salt draws attention to where it is scattered, what do we draw attention to when we are scattered as “the salt of the earth?”
  3. If light shines on what needs to be seen, what does the beautiful deed we do today shine on?
  4. As the light of the world, where is the best place for you to make an impact on dark places?
  5. Who in your life is hurting today and you need us to be salt to help with healing?

Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

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Pastor Rick’s Study Notes: Haggai Overview and the Key Passage of the Prophecy.

Haggai Chapter 1

  • This prophet speaks into the early leaders who returned from captivity with the People of God, Zerubbabel and Joshua. These two leaders came to Israel with 40K refugees to rebuilt the Temple and begin to restore Israel.
  • And Haggai preached to them and encouraged them to follow God, trust in His care and power, and continue the work. He may have preached all the way into the days of Ezra when he returned to Israel – at least Ezra recorded the impact Haggai had on the rebuilding of the Temple.

The Big Issue: The work on the house of worship stalled for more than a decade, but the people of God were convicted and drawn back to His purposes through Haggai. V.12-15 is the turnaround passage.

  • Haggai is a book of questions? Do you build your house before you build your God a place of worship? Why the drought? Who can compare the former house to the latter one? Is there anything left in the barn?

Haggai Chapter 2

This prophet saw the big picture.

  • The People of God were returning to Israel to rebuild the Temple, restore the city and nation, all to accomplish the mission – to be a light to the nations and a place of worship for all people (2:5)
  • All that God wants from the nations will come to Jerusalem and it will be a place filled with His glory and a house of peace.

(PRT) Haggai 1:12-15

v. 12 They all obeyed the voice of the Lord their God: Shealtiel’s son Zerubbabel, Jehozadak’s son Joshua the High Priest, along with all the remnant, and they heeded the words of the prophet Haggai that the Lord their God had sent.  And the people honored and reverenced the Lord.

v. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord spoke the Good News of the Lord, and said to the people: “I am with you,” says the Lord.

v. 14 And the Lord awakened the spirit of Shealtiel’s son, Zerubbabel, Judah’s governor and the spirit of Jehozadak’s son, Joshua the high priest and collectively the spirit of the remnant of the people. Then they came together to accomplish the work on the house of their God, the Lord of hosts.

v. 15 On the 24th day of the sixth month of the second year of Darius’ reign.

Study Notes:

v. 12 They all obeyed the voice of the Lord their God: Shealtiel’s son Zerubbabel, Jehozadak’s son Joshua the High Priest, along with all the remnant, and they heeded the words of the prophet Haggai that the Lord their God had sent.  And the people honored and reverenced the Lord.

The opposition they faced was discouragement, change, want, and the enemy.

  • And because of this discouragement, the people had simply become indifferent, ambivalent to the things of God.
  • They went through the motions because they had built the altar and the priests could make their sacrifices; but the fire of that altar hadn’t consumed them to the point that all they were and all they desired were the Lord’s.
    • What do you do when discouragement threatens your faith in action?
    • What do you do when defeat seems to characterize your life more than victory?
    • What do you do when disappointments overshadow and rob you of the joy you’ve known in the Lord?

v. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord spoke the Good News of the Lord, and said to the people: “I am with you,” says the Lord.

  • This is the only time the word the New Testament translated as The Message, The Good News, or sometimes, The Messenger, is used in the OT.
  • It is Good News that God is with us.
  • In fact, The first part is the Lord’s Name – the great “I AM.” And the second part echoes Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Jesus – “His name shall be called Immanuel, God with us.”

v. 14 And the Lord awakened the spirit of Shealtiel’s son, Zerubbabel, Judah’s governor and the spirit of Jehozadak’s son, Joshua the high priest and collectively the spirit of the remnant of the people. Then they came together to accomplish the work on the house of their God, the Lord of hosts.

And the fire was reignited, first one person (the Governor), then another (the Priest) – then he awakened the whole remnant and their culture was changed.

v. 15 On the 24th day of the sixth month of the second year of Darius’ reign.

And all this happened in three months. Haggai hung around and taught and shows up in Ezra. But his faithfulness to speak to the authority and encourage the people changed their direction.