July 22, 2026
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Introduction
The Left’s interpretation of what they commonly refer to as “the separation of church and state” (which isn’t in the Constitution), is one of the most demonically inspired beliefs in America’s history. No honest person can read the Bible and come to the conclusion that God wants no influence in a nation’s government. From cover to cover, He is involved in the life and activities of governments and nations. And no honest person can look at the words and actions of America’s Founders and believe they did not want God’s consistent and significant influence in our government and nation. Scripture makes clear that to accept His guidance brings blessing, and rejecting it produces curses and a reproach (Psalm 33:12; Proverbs 14:34).
Israel’s biblical history is filled with accounts of her kings, generals, priests and prophets working together. Whether it be Moses (government leader), Joshua (general), and Aaron (high priest); or David (king), Samuel (prophet), Nathan (prophet), Abiathar and Zadok (high priests); or Uzziah (king) and Isaiah (prophet), civil and spiritual leaders worked together and Israel prospered when they did so.
Today I want to look at another set of civil and spiritual leaders who worked together, bringing success to Israel and the purposes of God into the earth. My title is:
When Civil and Spiritual Leaders Work Together
When the Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon in 538 BC, they faced a harsh reality: decimated land, economic depression, hostile neighbors, and no center of worship–the Temple had been destroyed and was not yet rebuilt. The foundation of the Second Temple had been laid (see Ezra 3), but work had quickly ground to a halt for nearly 16 years due to opposition, fear, and self-interest (Ezra 4:4-5; Haggai 1:1-11).
The books of Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah all speak of this time in Israel’s history. What finally ended the standstill was a God-ordained partnership between civil and spiritual leaders aided by two prophets. It is a powerful example of the need for civic and spiritual leadership working together, especially when rebuilding a society.
The key figures used by the Lord to cause the successful rebuilding were Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah; Joshua, the high priest [obviously, not the same leader of Israel during the conquering of the promised land]; Haggai and Zechariah, who were prophets. Rather than competing or even just operating independently in isolation, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah worked in harmony, releasing the words of the Lord to leaders Zerubbabel and Joshua which enabled them to succeed (Haggai 1:1, Zechariah 3–4).
Down through history, civil government and religious leaders have often found themselves in friction with each other. However, the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah enabled civil and spiritual leaders Zerubbabel and Joshua to function–not as rivals–but as co-laborers under God‘s authority:
“Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them” (Ezra 5:2).
“And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia” (Ezra 6:14).
The prophet Haggai confronted mindsets (Haggai 1) that prioritized the economy and personal comfort ("paneled houses") over the spiritual work of rebuilding the Temple. When Zerubbabel (Governor) and Joshua (High Priest) heard the message, they responded together: "Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God..." (Haggai 1:12). Because Governor Zerubbabel and High Priest Joshua were aligned, the people received clear, unified direction, and the work on the Temple resumed within weeks!
Zechariah referenced their civil and spiritual partnership in Zechariah 4:14. Prophetically he was shown a gold lampstand fed by two olive trees. When he asked the angel what the two trees represented, the angel responded: "These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth" (Zechariah 4:14). These "two anointed ones" represented the government leader, Zerubbabel, and Joshua, the spiritual leader.
Zechariah’s vision clearly revealed that both offices received divine empowerment (oil) to bring light to the nation. Society functions best when civil leaders provide order and protection, while spiritual leaders provide moral clarity, spiritual insight, and worship.
The two prophets (Haggai and Zechariah) complemented one another as they supported Judah’s leadership. Haggai provided the practical challenge: "Consider your ways! You plant much, but harvest little…" (Haggai 1). His prophesying spurred the Jews to repentance and a return to work on the Temple.
Zechariah, on the other hand, knowing Governor Zerubbabel felt overwhelmed by the foreign opposition and lack of resources, delivered prophetic encouragement. In one of the most famous declarations in Scripture, he stated: "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6).
What great and fruitful partnership existed between these four men! Civil authorities need spiritual alignment, as well as encouragement to remember that ultimate success depends on God’s grace and favor. Spiritual leaders need an atmosphere of government provided societal order, to best transform God’s will and plans into physical reality.
Summary
The example of cooperation among different aspects of leadership in the books of Haggai and Zechariah offers several key principles:
Governmental decisions stripped of moral foundations and clarity lead to stagnation, deception and failure; yet spiritual actions without practical civic organization and authority lead to chaos.
Zerubbabel and Joshua shared the weight of leadership, preventing both a governmental monarchy and a religious hierarchy.
By putting the restoration of the community ahead of personal prestige, both leaders enabled a weak, impoverished remnant to finish the Second Temple in just four years (in 516 BC).
Ultimately, the books of Haggai and Zechariah show that lasting cultural transformation happens when those who lead in the public square and the spiritual arena work side by side in mutual honor and respect.
Pray with me:
Father, we know that deception brings destruction. America’s great deception regarding Your involvement in our nation has been cataclysmic. Rejecting You is to ultimately reject Your ways, which leads to death and destruction of every kind. The final stage of The Fall is depravity, lunacy, and bondage to demonic forces. We have apologized for rejecting You and repented for our pride. And we have rededicated our nation to You.
We ask You now to continue the process of reinserting Yourself in our nation. Thank You for the prayer that now occurs in the White House and Executive Branch of our government. And we thank You for what is taking place in Congress; many there now honor You. And we ask for more godly leaders to be placed in our Legislature. Likewise, cleanse our Judiciary; it has become defiled by godless rebels. Give us judges “as at the first” (Isaiah 1:26).
And as we war with the spirit of Islamic terrorism in Iran, give us victory. Give our President and his advisors divine wisdom and strategies. Cause those making decisions opposing peace and righteousness in that nation to make choices that bring them defeat. Show Yourself strong; destroy their evil hold! Free the people of Iran, and send great revival.
All this we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our decree:
We declare that America is a nation that still appeals to “the Supreme Judge of the world" and holds a "firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence." (from The Declaration of Independence.)