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Haggai 2:1-23 (19)
Have we been obedient? This is Haggai's subsequent message, given during the Feast of Tabernacles, around the month of October, 520 B.C. The more seasoned individuals, the elders, could recollect the unbelievable magnificence of Solomon's Temple, which had been annihilated 66 years sooner. Many were debilitated on the grounds that this new Temple was second rate compared to Solomon's. But Haggai supported and encouraged them with God's message that the quality and splendor of this Temple would outperform the former Temple. The most significant piece of the Temple is the presence of God. After 500 years, Jesus Christ would stroll into the Temple courts. “Be strong, and work, for I am with you.” Judah's kin had as of now had returned to worshiping God, and he vowed to favor their endeavors. Presently it was the ideal opportunity for them to work. We should be a group of petitions (that means prayer), Bible study, and worship; yet in the long run, we must get out and do what God has given for us to do. He wants to use us, to work through us to change the world. God has given us something important to take care of in the church, at our work environment, and at our home. The opportunity has arrived for us to be strong, steadfast, and work, for God is with us.
The Israelites had been driven from bondage in Egypt to their Promised Land. They were God's chosen, whom he led and tended to by his Holy Spirit. However, he chastised them for their wrongdoings, he stayed faithful to his obligation and never left them (Exodus 29:45-46). Regardless of the hardships we face or how baffling our work might be, God's Spirit is with us. The center movements from the neighborhood Temple being remade in Jerusalem to the overall rule of the Messiah on the planet. The words “it is a little while” are not restricted to what is the historical setting; they allude to God's control of history. He can act any time he picks. God will act in his time (Hebrews 12:26-27). When God vowed to “shake all nations” with his judgment, he was discussing both the current judgment of the evil countries and the future judgment to come during the last days. The “desire of all nations” has two potential implications: First, it could allude to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who might enter the Temple 500 years after the fact and fill it with his greatness and his tranquility. Second, it could likewise allude to the wealth that would stream into the Temple, given as contributions to the people of God.
God wanted the Temple to be remade, and he had the gold and silver to do it, however he required willing hands. God has decided to take care of his job through his kin. He gives the assets and resources; however willing hands should accomplish the work. Are our hands accessible and available for God's work on this planet? The model given in this message clarifies that sacredness and holiness does not rub off onto others, however defilement will. Since the people were starting to submit and obey to God, he vowed to provide encouragement and prosperity. However, they needed to comprehend that the Temple activities would not tidy up their wrongdoing; just contrition, repentance, and obedience could do that. In the event that we demand holding onto wrong mentalities and sins or on keeping up with cozy associations with corrupt individuals, we will be tainted. After we are equipped with God's Holy Spirit, only then will holy living be evident in our lives.
If we work in the garden, or on an automobile our hands get dirty. Sin and childish mentalities produce similar outcomes; they stain all that they contact. Indeed, even benevolent acts accomplished for God can be polluted by corrupt perspectives. The only cure is God's purifying, his cleansing, his forgiveness of our sins. The people reestablished the Temple’s foundation, and God promptly favored them. He did not wait for them to finish the job, he blessed them anyway. God regularly gives his approval and endorsement with the first obedient undertakings that we do. Is the seed yet in the barn? What have we done with what God has given us? Are we storing it up for later use? Have we planted it? Have we shared the seed with others? Every seed planted has the potential to produce an abundance of other seeds. If the seed is not planted, then there can be no fruit produced.
Haggai's message to the people was for them to get their priorities inline, assist them with stopping their stressing, and to spur them into rebuilding the Temple. Like the Israelites of then, we regularly place a higher need on our own solace than on God's work and giving him true praise and worship. However, God is satisfied and guarantees strength and direction when we put him ahead of all others in our lives.
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Haggai 1:1-15
It appears like everybody needs something from us, family members, friends, bosses at work, the schools that we may attend, our churches, clubs, etc. We wind up racing through life, taking care of the necessary, the immediate, and the urgent. Repeatedly the important is abandoned. Our problem is not the volume of requests or lack of organizational skills, but values -what is really important to us. Our values and our priorities are reflected in how we use our assets/resources. Frequently our activities give a false representation of our words. We state God is number one, yet we consign Him to a lesser number on our “to do” list. Haggai realized what was important and what must be done, so he challenged God’s people to react.
In verses 3-8: God asked His people, “How might you live in extravagance when my home is in ruins?” The sanctuary, Temple, was the point of convergence of Judah's relationship with God, yet it was lying in ruins. Instead, the people put their vitality into modifying and improving their own homes. Nonetheless, the harder the people worked for themselves, the less that they had, because they disregarded their spiritual lives. It can happen to us as well. If we put God first, He will provide for our necessities, however, if we put him in some other spot or position, every one of our endeavors are pointless. Thinking about our physical needs while overlooking our relationship with God will prompt ruin. Since the people had not put God in front of the rest of the competition in their lives, their work was not productive or profitable and their material belongings did not fulfill them. They focused on building their own homes; however, God’s favoring was retained since they no longer placed Him in the lead position. Moses anticipated that this would be the outcome if individuals dismissed God.
If we look at verse four, we see that Haggai appeals to the people’s minds. In verse five he appeals to the people’s hearts. Then in verse eight, Haggai appeals to the people’s will.
In verses 9-15: Judah's concern was confounded priorities. Like Judah, our priorities identifying with work, family, and God’s work are frequently confounded. Employments, homes, vacations, and relaxation exercises may rank higher on our list of significance than God. What is progressively imperative to us? Where does God rank? Grain, grapes, and olives were Israel’s significant crops. The peopled relied upon these for security while disregarding the worship of God. Therefore, God would send a dry spell to decimate their business to get them back to Himself. The people finally got their hearts right with God and started revamping the Temple only 23 days after Haggai’s first message. Occasionally, did a prophet’s message produce such a fast reaction. How regularly do we hear a message and react, “That was a magnificent point…we should do that,” just to leave church and neglect to act? These individuals put their words vigorously into action. At the point when we hear a decent message or lesson, we ought to ask ourselves what we should to do about it, and afterward make arrangements to incorporate it.
Nehemiah 4:6, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” Compare that to people of today. Sometimes people worry about the messenger but not the message. God’s messenger is “stepping on our toes.” How is our building project, not just church physical building, but the body of Christ, are souls being saved? What are our priorities, our idols? Have we laid down our tools? Where is God on our to do list? Haggai 2:1-23
Often, we are discouraged during our Christian walk of faith. We have felt the call of God, and as we strive to follow His will, it seems as though we cannot accomplish or reach that goal God set before us. We should try to remember that God is with us. He would not have placed that calling within us if He were not going to guide us to it. If we know and see someone struggling to follow their call, why not help them? Sometimes how we treat each other affects how we grow and how others see us. Pray for one another. Ask if there is something with which we can help. New converts need maturing. They look to older Christians (in faith, not physical age) for guidance and reassurance. Do not knock them off the ladder before they have had time to start climbing. The best cure for discouragement is encouragement. After 15 years of the Israelites not working for God, Haggai received word from God to give to His people. Haggai's first message was to get the people thinking and get them stirred up to work. In verses 1-3: This second message reminded the older ones of the splendor of Solomon’s temple. No expense was left out. God had said it would be better. After the people got their hearts right, God started working through them and blessing them. We need to remember this, remember our lessons from the past but do not dwell on them. Some people think it is not worth the effort if there is not a big crowd. If we are called to preach, teach, witness God’s Word, then do it. The size of the congregation does not matter, it does not mean that the Holy Spirit cannot move. He may need to speak softly to the few that are present to get a larger response. Work with what we have and where we are. Do not wait, be obedient. (Ezra 3:12, John 14:15, Luke 6:46) In verse 4: Everybody has a job, a calling, a gift. It is one thing to worship on Sunday morning, but our WORK is OUT THERE. Our real duty is out in the world working on God’s Temple. Compel others to come to Christ. We cannot change the world, but Christ can through us. No matter the task we are to Stand up, Step out, and Start working. (James 1:22, Jeremiah 42:11, Matthew 28:20) In verse 5: Just as the Israelites were punished for straying from God, He was still with them. He will receive punishment for sins we may commit, but He is always there for us, to correct us, and to bring us back in line with Him. (Exodus 29:45-46, 2 Chronicles 20:15-17, John 14:15-17) In verses 6-9: The Temple that will be, will be greater than the first. It will be greater than the one now (us). The shaking of the nations refers to judgment, judgment now and judgment to come. Everything belongs to God. We may not have much as some but do the best with what we do have. Be sure our hearts are in it. Are we willing vessels? (Isaiah 13:13, Ezekiel 38:20, Matthew 24:29, Revelation 6:12-17, 1 Kings 8:11, Romans 15:9-13, Luke2:14) In verses 10-14: Is being holy contagious? No, only God can make us holy. Is sin contagious? Yes. It creeps through and we may not see it coming. Our actions do not make us holy. Holiness comes from a repentant heart, obedience to God, the blood of Christ. Working in the church does not get us into heaven. Accepting Jesus as our personal Savior will. We are to be apart from the world, yet we work and live within it. Do not let the world rub off on us. We are to rub off onto the world. The Israelites had started working to rebuild the temple, but their hearts were not right. Our hearts and attitudes must be in line with God. (Ezekiel 44:19, Proverbs 21:4, Isaiah 1:11-15, Titus 1:15) In verses 15-19: In chapter one, the Israelites worked & worked but had less & less. They were told to remember their past sins and the punishment received. ls the seed still in the barn or have we been out to plant it? If we are walking around with seed, then we should be planting. God will start blessing just take that first step. (Numbers 15:40, 2 Samuel 22:22, Matthew 23:5) In verses 20-23: Haggai’s final message to Zerubbabel from God, I have chosen thee. God has chosen us. As letters in the old days had a wax seal and compressed with a signet ring, our letters are sealed with the blood of Christ upon our hearts. No matter how rough the waters get, how dark the clouds may turn, not only will God shake out the evil of this land, but there will also be a pouring out of blessings on us at the end. Look at what lies ahead for us. I have been educated about Jesus. I am practicing His teachings. I can be/will be experiencing the joys of Jesus. (Ephesians 1:4, Isaiah 41:9, John 15:16) |
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