All Treasures Are the Lord’s

An old family blanket became a life-changing opportunity for an unemployed, disabled man. Loren Krytzer was watching Antiques Roadshow when he saw a Navajo blanket from the 1800s similar to one he owned. He had his blanket appraised, and it sold for $1.5 million! The money "gave me a new lease on life," he said.

Just as the man looked at that old blanket and did not recognize a valuable treasure, the people of Israel looked at the temple and did not see God’s future restoration. To the returned Jewish exiles who remembered the past glory of Solomon’s temple as compared to the smaller new temple now under construction (v. 3), God offered His encouragement.

Be strong and work, He said, “For I am with you” (v. 4). Though the former temple’s treasures were looted and gone, God remained faithful. He Himself was the most valuable Treasure of all! This is a lesson to us as well. Faith is only as good as its object. Trusting in money doesn’t work because it’s so easily lost, whereas trusting God is rock-solid wisdom.

The Lord continued to keep His covenant with the nation so that even now “my Spirit remains among you” (v. 5). He’s all-powerful over both creation (v. 6) and nations (v. 7). Earthly treasures are under His control (v. 8). His plan for Israel included a bright future and complete peace and well-being (v. 9). The prophecy, “what is desired by all nations will come,” is clearer in other translations: “The treasures of all nations shall come in” or “the nations . . . will offer their treasures” (v. 7). This was partially fulfilled in Darius’s contribution to the rebuilt temple (Ezra 6:8–10), but in the days of the Messiah’s return the riches of the nations will also be brought to Jerusalem (Isa. 60:5; Mal. 3:1).

Pray with Us

Moody Publishers comes to the top of our prayer list again. May the publications, that Erik Peterson, John Matsuoka, Josh Reigel, and Eddie Cuevas help create, inspire readers, instill God’s truth in them, and help them walk with Christ.

BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.