WHAT IS THE LORD’S SIGNET RING?

A Word From Karen

July 26, 2022

“Ancient kings used signet rings to designate authority, honor, or ownership. A signet contained an emblem unique to the king. Official documents were sealed with a dollop of soft wax impressed with the king’s signet, usually imprinted on a ring worn on his finger. Such a seal certified the document as genuine, much like a notary public’s stamp today.” ^1.In the Book of Haggai, the Lord of Hosts declares that He will make Zerubbabel, His servant, as a signet because he had been CHOSEN by the Lord. (Hagg. 2:23)

Zerubbabel was CHOSEN by God from the royal lineage of King David. He was the governor of the rebuilt Jerusalem, CHOSEN for a unique purpose and given a place of great authority. God called Zerubbabel “my servant.” “My servant” has a Messianic reference. Zerubbabel is a picture of the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach who will free, empower and establish His people.

The Book of Haggai begins by telling us that it was written in the second year of Darius the king, IN THE SIXTH MONTH, in the FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH. This grabbed my attention, in that the first day of the sixth month in the Hebrew Religious calendar is soon approaching. That day will be the first day of the month of Elul taking place on our August 28, 2022. I believe we are fulfilling the Book of Haggai today. Elul has much significance as I will continue to outline in OTC gatherings. Elul has been called the month of repentance and precedes the Fall feasts. Elul, among many things, is a time of great intimacy with the LORD. Every week in our meetings, I am seeing the repentance that follows such precious intimacy.

The Book of Haggai contains 4 prophecies written by the prophet Haggai after Israel’s return from Babylon. They are dated around 520 B.C. “the second year of King Darius.” God used Haggai to encourage the people to rebuild the temple (Ezra 5:1).

THE FOUR PROPHECIES AND THE BODY OF CHRIST TODAY

The first prophecy from Haggai (1:4-11) was a rebuke to the people for neglecting to rebuild the Temple as He had requested. The reason the people were rebuked is that they were putting more finances into their own homes and other projects, rather than into the work needed on the house of the LORD. The LORD told the people that they were putting their wages into bags with holes. They were wasting their money. For that reason, the Heavens were restricted over them and they were not bearing good fruit. If the people had been building His house, the LORD would have taken pleasure and rewarded them with success. The good news is that the LORD stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel, the spirit of Joshua son of the high priest, and the REMNANT; they came and did work in the house of the Lord. I see similar stirrings in God’s remnant today.

The second prophecy (2:1-9) was spoken to encourage the people and to assure them that God’s presence was with them. It is written: “The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former” (Hag. 2:8-9). The LORD is with His people today. We are seeing strong evidence of His glory in our weekly meetings at OTC, and I am receiving many encouraging reports from OTC attendees who are putting God’s principles to work. This is very encouraging!

The third prophecy from Haggai (2:10-19) was another rebuke stating that the sacrifices that were being offered on the Altar were unclean, as long as the Temple still remained in ruins. (God prefers obedience over sacrifice) There were delays in the building process and the people were being chastised. If they would have resumed the work, God would have blessed them. May none of us be slack as we take our rightful positions and do the work God has called us to do. It will take the cooperative effort of the whole Body, as many of those who make up the Body need deep healing for their soul wounds.

The fourth prophecy (2:20-23) of Haggai was to encourage the people by telling them that Gentile kingdoms would be overthrown and God would establish the Messiah’s reign in their place. The LORD promised to overthrow governments, and destroy foreign powers. He said that the horses and their riders shall come down, everyone by the sword of his brother. (Hag. 2:22).

As you mediate on this book, hear the Word of the LORD, “I am with you, consider your ways and be strong.”

We can all see that the LORD is beginning to shake all that can be shaken, refining, purging and rebuilding His people.

As it was with Zerubbabel, so may it be with you that love the LORD with all of your heart. You shall be as a seal (signet) upon His heart (Song of Solomon 8:6). You are indeed chosen instruments sealed and marked with authority and honor.