A Call To Build God's Temple: Prioritizing The Local Church

A Call to Build God's Temple: Prioritizing the Local Church (Haggai 1:1-11)

1 In the second year of Darius' reign, on the first day of the sixth month, the prophet Haggai delivered the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: These people say, 'The time has not come; it is not yet time to build the temple of the Lord.' 3 The prophet Haggai receives the word of the Lord and delivers it.

4 "The temple is in ruins like this, and you are living in a nicely decorated house?"

5 “Think carefully about the days of your life,” says the Lord Almighty: 6 You have sown much seed, but you have gathered little; you have eaten, but you have not had enough; you have drunk, but you are not satisfied; you have clothed yourself, but there is no warmth; the hired hand has earned his wages, but his money has holes in his pocket.

7 “Think about what you have done,” declares the Lord Almighty. 8 “Go up to the mountains, cut down trees, and build a temple. I will be pleased with it and display my glory there,” declares the Lord. 9 “You hoped for much, but you gathered little; you gathered what you had, but I scattered it. Why is this?” declares the Lord Almighty. “My house is in ruins, and you are all busy with your own affairs.” 10 Therefore, because of you, the sky has withheld its dew, and the land has withheld its crops. 11 I have called a drought on the land—on the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, and the oil, on all that the field produces, on people and animals, and on all the things you have worked to raise.

I. Introduction: The Challenge of Haggai (Understanding the Text)

1. Historical Background (Haggai 1:1-3)

In 538 BC, King Cyrus issued a decree ordering the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. A return party of about 50,000 people arrived in Jerusalem under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). The temple site was surveyed but not immediately rebuilt.

537 BC: Second year of the return, February: Rebuilding of the temple begins, laying of the temple's foundation stone.

536–520 BC: Construction halted for about 16 years due to interference from neighboring peoples and the edict of King Artaxerxes.

520 BC: In the second year of King Darius' reign, the word of God was delivered through Haggai to Zerubbabel (governor of Judah) and Joshua (high priest).

2. The Prophet Haggai's Rebuke (Haggai 1:4-11)

Key questions: “The temple is in ruins like this, and you are living in your well-decorated houses?”

Key points: People are busy taking care of their homes. A rebuke for indifference in rebuilding the temple.

Situation: A life where no matter how hard you try, you will not reap much, even if you sow much seed, or if you eat but are not satisfied, etc.

Cause: "My house is in ruins, and each of you is busy with your own household." (wrong priority)

II. The Absolute Importance of Rebuilding the Old Testament Temple

The restoration of the temple signifies the restoration of the identity and center of life of the people of Israel.

Restoration of God's Presence: The temple is God's "dwelling place" where He dwells among His people (Exodus 25:8).

Restoration of God's Rule: The temple was the 'palace' of God, the King of Israel, and its destruction signified the collapse of the ruling order.

Restoration of Worship and Relationship with God: The temple was the center of atonement, thanksgiving, and seasonal worship, and its restoration signified the restoration of our relationship with God.

Restoring the Identity of the Covenant People: The temple (the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies) is the center of life as God's covenant people.

III. In the New Testament, the Christian Life is Described as “A Life of Building a Temple Together”

1 Peter 2:4-6: “When you came to him, you were like living stones, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious. Like living stones, you are being built as a spiritual house, to become a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Scripture says: “Behold, I have chosen a precious cornerstone, one who will be placed in Zion, and everyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Ephesians 2:20-22: “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone, in whom the whole building is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In Christ you too are being built together by the Holy Spirit into God’s dwelling place.”