Some therefore found it hard to focus on rebuilding Jehovah’s temple. Thus, about 520 B.C.E., Jehovah commissioned two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to rekindle the people’s zeal. (Hag. 1:1; Zech. 1:1) As we will see, the encouragement given by these prophets proved to be very effective.

6. According to Zechariah 4:6, 7, what other difficulties did the Jews face, and what assurance did Zechariah give them?

⁶ Read Zechariah 4:6, 7. In addition to facing economic hardship and political instability, the Jews had to deal with persecution. In 522 B.C.E., their enemies succeeded in having a ban placed on the rebuilding of Jehovah’s temple. But Zechariah assured the Jews that Jehovah would use His powerful spirit to remove any obstacles. In 520 B.C.E., King Darius lifted the ban on the temple work and even provided the Jews with funds and official support.​—Ezra 6:1, 6-10.

7. When the repatriated Jews gave priority to doing God’s will, what blessings did they receive?

⁷ By means of Haggai and Zechariah, Jehovah promised his people that they would have his backing if they gave priority to the rebuilding of the temple. (Hag. 1:8, 13, 14; Zech. 1:3, 16) Encouraged by the prophets, the repatriated Jews resumed the temple work in 520 B.C.E. and finished rebuilding it in less than five years. Because the Jews gave priority to doing God’s will despite uncertainties, they received Jehovah’s support not only materially but also spiritually. As a result, they worshipped Jehovah with joy.​—Ezra 6:14-16, 22.

KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON DOING GOD’S WILL

8. How can the words of Haggai 2:4 help us to keep our focus on doing God’s will? (See also footnote.)

⁸ As the great tribulation draws close, we realize more than ever how urgent it is to obey the command to share in the preaching work. (Mark 13:10) We may, however, find it difficult to focus on our ministry if we have suffered a financial setback or if we are facing opposition to our preaching work. What can help us to put Kingdom interests first? Remaining confident that “Jehovah of armies”b is on our side. He will support us if we continue to put Kingdom interests ahead of our own. So we have nothing to fear.​—Read Haggai 2:4.

9-10. How did one married couple experience the truthfulness of Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 6:33?

⁹ Consider the example of Oleg and Irina,c a married couple who serve as pioneers. After moving to assist a congregation in another area, they lost their source of income because of the worsening economic conditions in their country. Although they were without steady work for about a year, they constantly felt Jehovah’s loving support and on occasion received help from their brothers and sisters. How did they cope with uncertainties? Oleg, who at first felt depressed, states, “Keeping busy in the ministry helped us to focus on what is most important in life.” While he and his wife continued to look for work, they remained busy in their ministry.

¹⁰ One day when they returned home from the ministry, they learned that a close friend had traveled about 160 kilometers (100 mi) to bring them two bags of groceries. Oleg says: “On that day, we once again experienced the depth of Jehovah’s care and that of the congregation. We are convinced that Jehovah never forgets his servants, no matter how hopeless their situation may seem.”​—Matt. 6:33.

11. What can we expect if we keep our focus on doing God’s will?

¹¹ Jehovah wants us to focus on the lifesaving work of making disciples. As mentioned in paragraph 7, Haggai urged Jehovah’s people to make a fresh start in their sacred service, as if they were laying the temple’s foundation again. If they did, Jehovah promised to “send a blessing.” (Hag. 2:18, 19) We too can be assured that Jehovah will bless our efforts if we give priority to the work he has assigned us to do.