A faithful ministry in the Church.
I. THAT IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DIVINE NAME. "In the name of the God of Israel" (Ezra 5:1).
1. It advances in the Divine Name. These two prophets came to Israel in the name of God; a faithful ministry is commissioned by God, has his authority, and is qualified by him (2 Corinthians 5:20).
2. It partakes of the Divine Character. These prophets must bear in their conduct the purity of God, and in their words the mercy of God; a faithful ministry must exhibit the Divine Character.
3. It recognises the Divine Covenant. These two prophets came to Israel as the covenant people engaged in a great work; a faithful ministry is for the Church in its redemptive relationships.
II. THAT IT IS REQUIRED IN TIMES OF MORAL DEGENERACY. The building operations of Israel had ceased; Israel had settled down to an easy life, and was reluctant to enter again upon the arduous task of civil and religious restoration.
1. This faithful ministry was necessary. The Israelites were dwelling in ceiled houses, and God's house was waste (Haggai 1:4). They required to see the wrong of this; and who will show it them if the prophets of God do not?
2. It was timely. It was a word in season to the people; they needed to be called from indifference to their great work. A faithful prophet will adapt his words to the condition of his hearers, and seek to engage the Church in the duty of the hour.
3. It was effective. The people no longer "earned wages to put into a bag with holes," but they feared the Lord, and entered upon his work (Haggai 1:6). Duty is really more remunerative than luxury. See then the reviving effect which two earnest men may exert within a lukewarm Church; they quicken its fading life and inspire its languid work. A faithful ministry is most influential for good.
III. THAT THE SPIRITUAL IS THE MEDIUM OF ITS INFLUENCE, "Prophesied unto the Jews."
1. Not carnal. No sensational appeals were made to set the luxurious Israelites to build again the ruined temple; but by the word of the Lord they were urged to duty. The weapons of our warfare are spiritual; the word of God is the preacher's power. Christ's ministry was spiritual.
2. Not coercive. The sword did not drive the Israelites out of their celled houses; but the word of God spoken by his servants, working in the conscience. The truth is attractive, not coercive. Christ drew sinners to hear him.
3. Not cunning. These two prophets did not seek by cunning arts to win the Israelites from luxury to work for God; but by faithful words of remonstrance. Christ sought not to win men by artifice, but by a solemn statement of fact and duty. The world will not be subdued to virtue by the statesman, by the warrior, by the educationalist, but by the prophet.
IV. THAT ITS WELFARE WILL BE ENHANCED BY THE CO-OPERATION OF GOOD MEN. "Then rose up Zerubbabel" (Ezra 5:2). The prophets alone are morally powerful; but much more so when Zerubbabel and Jeshua are allied with them.
1. The alliance augments numbers. The work of restoration gathers strength by numerical addition, especially by the addition of influential men like Zerubbabel. The ministry needs numerical support; numbers increase the force of the testimony: exhibit the power of the gospel; aid the argument of the truth; are prophetic of future increase.
2. The alliance ensures efficiency. Zerubbabel will aid, advise, support the two prophets, and they in turn will aid him; this combined agency will inspire Israel with duty and courage. Four men can do what two cannot (Mark 2:3). In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom.
V. THAT IT LEADS THE CHURCH TO THE HOLY ENTERPRISE FOR WHICH IT IS CALLED.
1. Productive work. "To build the house of God" (Ezra 5:2). But for these two prophets it is likely that Israel would have continued to dwell in their ceiled houses, and have neglected the temple. The Church would be much more unmindful of Christian work than it is were it not for its faithful ministers. They awaken its memory. They quicken its conscience. They arouse its affections. They give it a good personal example by coming themselves to build the house of God; well nigh all houses of God in the earth would be unbuilt but for the ministers of the gospel.
2. Permanent work. The house endures when those who built it are gone.
VI. THAT IT IS SURE TO MEET WITH IMPEDIMENTS IN THE ENTERPRISE IT CONTEMPLATES. "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet" (verse 1). "At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river" (verse 3). When the prophet comes to a Church to aid its work, Satan generally sends agencies to hinder it. The satanic:—
1. Simultaneous. The prophets and the hostile governors come together; the spiritual and the satanic move side by side.
2. Inquisitive. "Who hath commanded you to build this house?" How the satanic interrogates the spiritual.
3. Overruled. "But the eye of the Lord was upon the elders of the Jews." Providence is co-operative with a faithful ministry, and helps to overcome all hindrances.—E.