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Zerubbabel Builds the Second Temple

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[Zechariah 4:9]

The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you..

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Judah, who forsook God and worshiped idols, was completely destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The temple which was built during the time of Solomon was completely demolished, and many people were taken captive to Babylon. God prophesied that they would return to Jerusalem after they had been in captivity for seventy years, and the people of Judah had to rely on the words of this promise.

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This promise made through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled in the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, which was established after Babylon. Cyrus, who was impressed by God, proclaimed the following command to all the nations:

“This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, and may their God be with them. And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”(Ezr 1:2~4)

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After the command of Cyrus went out, the people of Judah finished their captivity and were ready to leave for Jerusalem. Those who can could go them valuable gifts for the temple. The king of Cyrus gave them the goods from the old temple.

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Zerubbabel was the leader who led the people of Judah to Jerusalem. It was a long way from Shusa in Persia to Jerusalem in Judah, but God's presence enabled the people of Judah to safely reach Jerusalem.

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Two years and two months after their return to Jerusalem, Zerubbabel and Yeshua became central figures and began building the temple. They entrusted the building of the temple to the Levites who were over twenty years old.

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When the foundation of the temple was made, the priests took the trumpets, and the sons of Asaph took the cymbals and praised and thank God. All the people shouted and praised, the LORD as well when they saw the foundation of the temple being made.

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But the leaders, including the older priests, cried out loud. These are the people who had seen Solomon's temple, which was once magnificent and beautifully built. Compared to that time, the foundation of the present temple of God was too small and shabby, and they cried out loud because of their sorryness to God.

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All the people began to build a temple with one heart. Those who had already lived in the land came together to work on the temple. It was not true that they wanted to build the temple together. They also denied that Zerubbabel and his leaders could not participate in building the temple, because they did not serve God properly.

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Because of this, they began to interfere with the planned construction of the temple. They gave bribes to the officials and prevented them from continuing to build the temple. They also wrote that whenever a king changes, a temple should be built in Jerusalem. Because of these obstacles temple construction was stopped up to 16 years.

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Through the prophets, God encouraged the people of Judah to work on the temple again. The prophet Zechariah prophesied that God would complete the temple through Zerubbabel. Haggai prophets also gave strength by the word of God to build the temple. The leaders and the people who received the word of God again began to build temples.

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When the work of building the temple was resumed, the governor Tattenai came and asked. “Whosoever shall receive your permission, rebuild this temple, and build a wall.” Judah’s leaders (elders) answered Tattenai. “We build this temple according to a special command which the great king Cyrus told us to build.”

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The governor Tattenai sent a letter to King Darius confirming the fact that King Cyrus had asked him to build a temple. Darius, who read the letter, asked King Cyrus to confirm that he had issued this order before.

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The servants who received the king's orders found the promise of King Cyrus in the king's garage. Darius the king commanded the governor Tattenai to help the people of Judah to finish the work of building the temple in response to a decree authorizing King Cyrus to build the temple.

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The people of Judah who were strengthened, built the temple with joy. Finally, they finished the temple of God. This temple, which was led by Zerubbabel, is called Zerubbabel Temple. All the people gathered in the finished temple, rejoicing, and praising God.

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God moved the heart of Cyrus so that the people of Judah could return to their homeland in 70 years to build a temple. When the work of building the temple ceased because of the wicked people, it helped to reinforce the work of building the temple by adding strength through the word of God through the prophets.

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God completed the temple by helping King Darius to allow the work of building the temple. God loves and keeps His people to the end. He is the one who helps us to do what God promised.

We can overcome difficult problems when we live our faith by faith in the Word. At that time, I hope that you will be people of faith who remember and rely on God who has completed the Zerubbabel temple with the promise.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)