The Restoration

How is it possible? That centuries before Joshua, son of Jehozadak (Priest at the dedication of the second temple) after the exile, after the destruction of the first temple, after Israel’s sin, after all these years - 70years in all, there could be a dedication of a second temple that would see greater glory than the first. The first temple was destroyed due to Israel’s sin and the people exiled to Babylon. In the post-exilic period, after the remnant return to Jerusalem from Babylon under the reign of Cyrus who freed them, Joshua the son of Jehozadak stands amid ruins. Jerusalem is scarred. The Temple lies in rubble. The people are back in the land, but spiritually disoriented and burdened by guilt.

This Joshua does not carry a sword; he wears filthy garments, symbolizing the sin of the nation (Zechariah 3). And yet, God restores him. The Lord rebukes the accuser and clothes Joshua in clean garments, reinstating him as priest. Worship resumes and the Second Temple rises. The Second Temple, built by Zerubbabel, was much smaller and dedicated in 515 BCE. Though outwardly unimpressive, God promises:

“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former” (Haggai 2:9).

The Second Temple lacked the ark, the visible cloud of glory, and the splendour of Solomon’s era. Then how can it be greater than the former temple. Many who saw it wept, and that’s when Prophet Haggai speaks: Haggai 2:1-9.

1.Then on October 17 of that same year, the Lord sent another message through the prophet Haggai. 2. “Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God’s people there in the land: 3. Does anyone remember this house—this Temple—in its former splendour? How, in comparison, does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! 4. But now the Lord says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people are still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 5. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.’

6.“For this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land. 7.I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will be brought to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 8.The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 9.The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place, I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!

What was this future glory? It was that the Lord himself would walk into it, and dwell in it. It became the most glorious house Israel ever knew. Why?

Because Yeshua of Nazareth (God in flesh and blood) walked into it.

Within its courts stood:

• The True High Priest

• The Final Sacrifice

• The Living Word -Torah

• God in Flesh

Jesus entered it multiple times during his time on earth, dedicated as a child in this very temple, and as an adult when He walked through the courts teaching and chastising the people. Who ever imagined this temple would see the entry of the Messiah, and the ‘word became flesh’ dwelling and teaching on those very temple courts.

The Gospel of John captures the moment with breathtaking simplicity:

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory.”

The Greek word for dwelt echoes tabernacled. God pitched His tent again—this time not in stone, but in a Person.

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Did the people at the time of the second temple dedication believe that this was possible even though Haggai prophesied. Perhaps not, how could they? Because they were seeing a much smaller temple among the rubble with their outward eyes as it was small and dull in comparison to the original. But the Lord in His way took it and made it great and happened exactly as Haggai prophesied.