Post-Exilic Prophets for a post-Christian age

Christians often overlook the prophets Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, dismissing their focus on the temple, priesthood, and sacrifices as irrelevant to the concerns of our day. But in fact, these Jewish prophets have much to say to us: the post-exilic world was surprisingly similar to ours. Their prophecies are addressed to those who seek to live as the people of God while being under the authority of earthly rulers – not an evil empire like Babylon, but not a godly one either. They speak to those living in the gap between promise and fulfillment, who can glimpse small manifestations of the kingdom of God,but are by no means seeing God’s reign in all its fullness.

The Rt Rev’d Dr Stead contributed the section on Haggai in the ESV Expository Commentary, has written two books on Zechariah, and recently published Return and Restoration, an introduction to Haggai,Zechariah, and Malachi.In this talk, Bishop Michael will explore the relevance of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachiin a post-Christian age, showing how they help Christians hold fast to hope in God’s promises,notwithstanding the apparent evidence to the contrary in the modern world.

Michael Stead has been the Bishop of South Sydney since 2016. Bishop Stead was previously rector of St James’ Turramurra and a part-time lecturer in Old Testament at Moore Theological College. He is married to Felicity, and the couple have three adult children.He holds a Bachelor of Commerce (UNSW),Bachelor of Divinity (Moore Theological College), and a Doctor of Philosophy (University of Gloucestershire). His doctoral dissertation was on the Book of Zechariah.