The rebuilding work continued through the encouragement and help of the prophesying of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (vv. 1-2). In God’s theocratic administration among the people of Israel, there were three offices: the priests, the kings, and the prophets. The responsibility of the high priest was to bring the matters concerning God’s people into God’s presence and wait on God for His instant speaking through the Urim and the Thummim (Exo. 28:30 and notes). The high priest then passed on God’s decision and instructions to the king, who was responsible in God’s administration to carry them out. Whenever the priests and the kings became weak and inadequate, God raised up the prophets to speak for Him in order to strengthen and assist the priesthood and the kingship (1 Sam. 3:11-21; 2 Sam. 12:1-25). See note Num. 27:21^1a and note Deut. 16:18¹.

For the building of God’s dwelling place on earth, the ministries of both the priesthood and the kingship are needed. The tabernacle was raised up through Aaron, the high priest, and Moses, representing the divine authority; the temple was built under the high priest and Solomon the king; the rebuilding of the temple was accomplished through the priesthood of Joshua and the authority of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah (Hag. 1:1). In the building of the recovered temple both Joshua and Zerubbabel became somewhat weak and discouraged. Therefore, God used the prophets Haggai and Zechariah to speak for Him and to strengthen and encourage Joshua and Zerubbabel (see the books of Haggai and Zechariah).

In God’s economy the priesthood and the kingship will remain forever (Rev. 22:3, 5), whereas in the age of the millennium and in eternity the prophethood will not be needed (Dan. 9:24 and note Dan. 9:24⁴).