-
What similarities and differences do you see between the messages preached by Haggai and Zechariah?
-
The message of both prophets is basically the same. The theme of both prophets is very similar. Judgement, restoration.
-
Both worked to get the post-exilic people in Jerusalem busy completing the second temple. But Zechariah was given visions of the future coming of the Messiah, presented in the second half of his bifid-structured book. Encouragement then prophecies in it.
-
The thrust of Haggai and Zechariah is the same: get the temple built. Haggai focuses on what is observable to the people and uses these circumstances to encourage the people, through the word of God. Zechariah has a much more spiritual focus. Getting the temple built was the starting point, what God wanted them to do at that moment, as a step towards all that God had / has planned for the future.
-
Both Haggai and Zechariah were written to encourage the Israelites not to get disheartened and distracted as they rebuilt the temple. Zechariah, however, takes this further by emphasizing the relationship between God and His people, and the covenant He established between them. Zechariah gives hope to look toward the future, more than just a rebuilt temple, but a fully restored Kingdom beyond any earthly kingdom in the fullness of relationship with God.
-
The similarity is that both prophets prophesy about the house of the Lord.