Zerubabbel as a Messianic figure.
             As my text, I am using the book of Haggai 2:23: "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel,, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts." Thus, the messianic promise was passed onto Zerubbabel, the man that God entrusted to be the governor of God's people upon their return to Israel, and with the rebuilding of the Temple at Jerusalem. Zerubbabel was a leader, a man of God, and a faithful servant to God's will. Zerubbabel was a messianic figure. This can be seen in a series of comparisons and contrast to Christ and His work.
             To begin, Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel and the grandson of Jehoiachin this is referenced in Ezra 3:2; and Matt 1:12). In I Chronicles 3:19 he is said to be the son of Pedaiah, Shealtiel's' brother. The explanation for this apparent discrepancy is very likely that Shealtiel died without having a son; and either his nephew was his legal heir and therefore called his son (reference here to Exod 2:10), or else; Pedaiah married his brother's widow and, therefore, Zerubbabel became Shealtiel's son by levirate law as can be referenced in Deut 25:5-10. In 1 Chronicles 3:17-19, Zerubabbel is listed as the heir to the throne of Judah. He is also listed in the genealogy of Christ Jesus in Matt 1:14, and Luke 3:27. He is, therefore, by linage of the House of David, and under the Davidic covenant. Zerubabbel lived in exile in Babylonia with the his fellow Israelites.
             However, God reigns Sovereign over creation, including the nations of the world. As part of God's process to return His people to the Judah, God delivered the Babylonian empire into the hands of Cyrus the Persian, who became after his conquest of Babylonia became know as Cyrus the Great. God elev...