"Take an offering from the exiles--from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon--and go that same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. Take an offeringThe Hebrew word for "take" is "laqach," which implies receiving or accepting something with purpose. In this context, it signifies a divine directive to accept a contribution from the exiles. The "offering" here is not merely a gift but a symbol of the exiles' commitment and participation in God's plan. It reflects the restoration of worship and the re-establishment of the community's covenant relationship with God. from the exiles
The term "exiles" refers to those who had been taken captive to Babylon and are now returning. This return is a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people. The exiles represent a remnant chosen by God, highlighting His faithfulness and the hope of renewal. Their return is not just physical but spiritual, symbolizing a return to God's ways and His land. from Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah
These names are significant as they represent individuals who are part of the returning remnant. "Heldai" can mean "robust" or "worldly," suggesting strength or resilience. "Tobijah" means "Yahweh is good," reflecting a testimony of God's goodness. "Jedaiah" means "Yahweh knows," indicating divine awareness and care. These individuals are not just names but embody the characteristics and faith of the returning community. who have arrived from Babylon
Babylon, historically a place of exile and judgment, is now the starting point of restoration. The phrase emphasizes the transition from captivity to freedom, from judgment to grace. It underscores the faithfulness of God in bringing His people back from a place of spiritual and physical bondage. and go that same day
The immediacy of "that same day" suggests urgency and obedience. It reflects the importance of acting promptly in response to God's commands. This immediacy also signifies the readiness of the people to participate in God's redemptive plan without delay. to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah
"Josiah" means "Yahweh supports," and "Zephaniah" means "Yahweh has hidden." The house of Josiah represents a place of refuge and divine support. It is a physical location where God's plans are set into motion, symbolizing a safe haven for the fulfillment of His promises. The mention of these names connects the present action to a lineage of faith and divine purpose. Persons / Places / Events 1. Heldai, Tobijah, and JedaiahThese are the exiles who have returned from Babylon. Their names are significant as they represent the faithful remnant of Israel who have come back to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. 2. BabylonThe place of exile for the Israelites. It symbolizes a place of judgment and purification, from which God’s people are called to return. 3. Josiah son of ZephaniahA figure in Jerusalem who is instructed to receive the offering from the exiles. His house becomes a place of gathering and significance for this prophetic act. 4. The OfferingThis is a symbolic act of worship and dedication, representing the contributions of the returned exiles towards the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of Israel. 5. The Day of ActionThe instruction to go "that same day" emphasizes the urgency and immediacy of the prophetic action, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands. Teaching Points Faithfulness in ExileThe return of Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah signifies the faithfulness of God’s people even in difficult circumstances. We are called to remain faithful and hopeful, trusting in God’s promises during our own times of trial. The Importance of ObedienceThe immediacy of the command to go "that same day" teaches us the importance of prompt obedience to God’s instructions. Delayed obedience can hinder God’s work in our lives. Community and ContributionThe collective offering from the exiles highlights the importance of community and shared responsibility in the work of God. Each member’s contribution is vital to the mission of the church. Symbolism of RestorationThe act of bringing an offering from Babylon to Jerusalem symbolizes the restoration and renewal that God brings. It reminds us of the transformative power of God’s grace in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the return of the exiles from Babylon teach us about God’s faithfulness to His promises? 2. How can we apply the principle of immediate obedience in our daily walk with God? 3. In what ways can we contribute to the work of God in our community, similar to the exiles bringing their offering? 4. How does the account of the exiles’ return and offering connect with the broader account of restoration in the Bible? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced a "return from exile" in your own life. How did God use that experience to restore and renew you? Connections to Other Scriptures Ezra 1This chapter describes the decree of Cyrus allowing the exiles to return and rebuild the temple, providing context for the return of Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah. Haggai 1The call to rebuild the temple and prioritize God's house over personal dwellings connects with the offering brought by the exiles in Zechariah 6:10. Jeremiah 29:10-14The promise of return from exile and restoration, which is being fulfilled in the actions described in Zechariah 6:10. People Heldai, Helem, Hen, Jedaiah, Jehozadak, Josedech, Joshua, Josiah, Tobijah, Zechariah, Zephaniah, ZerubbabelPlaces Babylon, Jerusalem, ShinarTopics Arrived, Babylon, Captivity, Enter, Exiles, Family, Gifts, Gold, Hast, Heldai, Jedaiah, Jedai'ah, Josiah, Josi'ah, Offering, Offerings, Prisoners, Tobijah, Tobi'jah, Whither, Yea, Zephaniah, Zephani'ahDictionary of Bible Themes Zechariah 6:9-15 1431 prophecy, OT methods Library The Priest of the World and King of Men
'He shall build the Temple of the Lord ... and He shall be a Priest upon His throne.'--ZECHARIAH vi. 13. A handful of feeble exiles had come back from their Captivity. 'The holy and beautiful house' where their fathers praised Him was burned with fire. There was no king among them, but they still possessed a representative of the priesthood, the other great office of divine appointment. Their first care was to rear some poor copy of the Temple; and the usual difficulties that attend reconstruction …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureChrist Glorified as the Builder of his Church
This world is but the echo of the spheres." HEAVEN singeth evermore. Before the throne of God, angels and redeemed saints extol his name. And this world is singing too; sometimes with the loud noise of the rolling thunder, of the boiling sea of the dashing cataract, and of the lowing cattle; and often with that still, solemn harmony, which floweth from the vast creation, when in its silence it praises God. Such is the song which gushes in silence from the mountain lifting its head to the sky, covering …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858 The Allegory of Melchizedek.
HEBREWS vii. 1-28 (R.V.). "For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually. Now consider …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Ascension
"So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen." MARK 16:19-20 (R.V.) WE have reached the close of the great Gospel of the energies of Jesus, His toils, His manner, His searching gaze, His noble indignation, His love of children, the consuming zeal by virtue of which He was not more truly the …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 The King --Continued.
The second event recorded as important in the bright early years is the great promise of the perpetuity of the kingdom in David's house. As soon as the king was firmly established and free from war, he remembered the ancient word which said, "When He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety, then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there" (Deut. xii. 10, 11). His own ease rebukes him; he regards his tranquillity …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's …
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders, …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Zechariah 6:10 NIVZechariah 6:10 NLTZechariah 6:10 ESVZechariah 6:10 NASBZechariah 6:10 KJV
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