Thursday, April 20 “Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares Jehovah, “and work. For I am with you,” declares Jehovah of armies.​—Hag. 2:4.

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Thursday, April 20

“Be strong, all you people of the land,” declares Jehovah, “and work. For I am with you,” declares Jehovah of armies.—Hag. 2:4.

 

The prophet Haggai received an important commission from Jehovah. Haggai had likely been among those who in 537 B.C.E. returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. Soon after they arrived at their destination, those faithful worshippers laid the foundation of Jehovah’s house, or temple. (Ezra 3:8, 10) But before long, a sad situation developed. They got discouraged and stopped working on the project because of opposition. (Ezra 4:4; Hag. 1:1, 2) So in 520 B.C.E., Jehovah commissioned Haggai to rekindle their zeal and motivate them to complete the temple. (Ezra 6:14, 15) Haggai’s message was designed to build faith in Jehovah. The expression “Jehovah of armies” must have been reassuring. Jehovah has a vast army of angelic warriors under his command, so the Jews needed to rely on him to succeed. w21.0915 ¶4-5