THE MESSAGE OF EZRA & HAGGAI
Building for God
By Robert Fyall. IVP. 192 pages. £9.99
ISBN 978-1-84474-479-4
Every new book of the Bible that Robert Fyall studied when ministering to a congregation became the most important book of the Bible.
It seems unlikely that Ezra or Haggai should ever be candidates for this exalted status, as the author himself admits: ‘Ezra often fails to charm at a first reading, largely because it often seems so low key and factual’ (p.44) and Haggai is brought only in order to help part a reluctant congregation from their financial support for a building project. This competent exposition, the most recent in the Old Testament for The Bible Speaks Today seroes, opens up these two books of Scripture and allows them to speak directly to us today. Ezra and Haggai are more usually paired with Nehemiah and Zechariah respectively, but because those partners already have volumes of their own in the series, Ezra and Haggai share a volume here. I found this a refreshing combination as the narrative of Ezra gave a context for the warmth of Haggai’s preaching to the exiles returned to Jerusalem.
We must not imagine that, because the style of Ezra is rather terse, there is not great excitement stirring under the surface, writes Fyall (p. 28), who sets out first to explain the underlying text with reference to NIV and ESV and then draw out some points. He is very good at setting Ezra in the wider context of the post-exilic period, explaining the main issues of chronology, and making his points relevant to the Christian reader. The prophet Haggai’s horizon was indeed much broader than the immediate needs of the Jerusalem building project: he looked for a fundamental change in the human heart. Here, too, Fyall explains the text, then draws out the significance. In both Haggai and Zechariah, the message is about ‘Building for God’, not with bricks and mortar but with hearts renewed by God’s grace in Christ.
I found this to be helpful, faithful, clear, and accessible to any Christian hungry to hear God speak today through his written Word.
Ed Moll,
minister of St. George’s Church, Wembdon, Bridgwater, Somerset
