Haggai
Haggai wrote during one of the most challenging times in Jewish history. His prophecies inspired the people to persevere and stay committed to God during that difficult time.
Aside from the fact that he was a prophet, we know little about the man. His name means "festival," perhaps because he was born on the day of a major festival. He ministered during the reign of King Darius I (522-486 BC) and was probably about 80 years old (my present age) when he wrote this book.
The historical setting dates around 520 BC before the Temple was rebuilt. In 520 BC, Haggai addressed his words to the people in Judah and Jerusalem who had returned from exile. He urged them to get their act together, set their priorities straight, and rebuild the Temple (Haggai 1:1-11). The bottom line is (point 1) "that they needed to put God first!" Only then, he said, would God bring true blessing back upon them. Notice this article makes 10 points about God and what he wants from us.
The problem was that when the people first returned from exile in 538 BC as a result of King Cyrus's decree, they made a good start in the beginning to rebuild the Temple, but nowuch attention to the Temple. However, do you know God requires our service? This comes out clearly in chapter one in the contrast between God's house and the people's houses and what God has to say about this. The Lord asks, "Is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house (the Temple) lies in ruins?" – Haggai 1:4. This is one of the most piercing questions in all scripture, especially given our wealth in this country.
They were putting themselves first, busying themselves with their affairs and not God's. Moreover, God calls them on it and requires them to put Him first. God also challenges us because we so often put ourselves first. Our work and houses are fine, but God's work and house get little attention in our busy lives. What we learn from Haggai is that (point 2) "we need to fulfill the call to serve God even when it is hard." In Haggai, they were experiencing bad economic times. Thus, obeying meant taking a risk and giving them time and resources to do God's work when they felt they did not have enough to care for their needs.
It was also hard to obey because people were critical of their work on the Temple. It lacked the glory appropriate to a temple of God. Thus, people were thinking and saying things that discouraged the workers.
It will not always be easy for us, whether it is due to lack of resources, criticism, or other factors. God speaks to us through the book of Haggai to say to us as well (point 3) "that we need to serve God even when it is hard." If you only serve God when things are easy, you will not be serving God for long.
(point 4) "God encourages us as we serve him." God is revealed as an encourager. For instance, in chapter one, the Lord encouraged them as soon as the people decided to obey. God was concerned to give them hope, to know that they could do what he asked of them. Haggai 1:13 – "I am with you declares the Lord."
This is the sequence of events in chapter one:
• God challenged their disobedience
• They resolved to work
• God stirred them up, and
• Then they worked
What comes before the work is God doing a work in them.
Haggai 1:14 says, "And the Lord stirred up the Spirit of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the Spirit of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirits of all the remnant of the people. Moreover, they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God . . .." God acted to move them along and enabled their obedience.
It is the same with us. God does not just call us to serve; he empowers our service. That is because none of us can serve God in our strength. Thus, we learn from Haggai that we need to receive God's help as we serve him; we need to have God stir our spirits. We need God to stir us up!
In chapter two, when they were discouraged at their work prospects on the Temple, the Lord spoke to them. Here we have lots of words of encouragement, so that they would not give in to discouragement and stop working. Haggai 2:4-5 – "Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, according to the covenant I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not."
When they began to obey the Lord, he told them in Haggai 2:19 – "from this day on, I will bless you." God wanted to assure them that his hand of judgment was lifted and they would have a good harvest to provide for their needs in the coming year.
Finally, the Lord encouraged Zerubbabel with a word to him and a promise concerning the house of David. Haggai 2:23 – "I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts." Zerubbabel is accepted but will be used by God and his line.
It is easy to be discouraged as we try to serve God. We have our own personal weaknesses, other people that discourage us, and demanding circumstances.
However, we learn from Haggai that (point 5) "we need to receive God's encouragement" into our hearts to be strong and continue. Whether it is through other people, through the scriptures, or straight from God; however it comes, we need to receive it.
And in the same way, (point 6) "we need to trust that God will take our work and give it lasting value." Even if we cannot see it with our own eyes, or if it is off in the future.
So, the book of Haggai is a call to do God's work. Furthermore, I hope that by looking at this book, you will be challenged and encouraged to do what God is calling you to do.
Moreover, I hope you will take to heart the lessons that we learn from Haggai about serving the Lord.
(point 7) Disobedience brings God's judgment
They were under God's corrective discipline for not working on the Temple. This comes out in several places. The Lord says, "You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? Declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce . . ." – Haggai 1:9-10.
(point 8) "The only solution to disobedience is repentance." We saw how they tried to cover over their disobedience with sacrifices. Nevertheless, their sacrifices were unclean. They were not acceptable because of their disobedience.
What God wanted was that they "turn" to him (Haggai 2:17); they set aside their disobedience and serve him.
We try to do other good things to cover or balance our sins. We also have ways of trying to gain God's favor even while we willfully choose to rebel against God. However, none of these things work.
God would have blessed them according to the covenant he had with them if they had obeyed. Nevertheless, they disobeyed, and the blessing was withheld. We learn from Haggai that we need to repent of our sin and get to work serving God.
We often think that we can walk in willful sin and still have God's blessing. But we learn from Haggai that (point 9) "blessings only come with obedience."
Zerubbabel, a leader among the people, was portrayed as a symbol of the coming Messiah. To instill hope in the people, Haggai informed them that one day in the future, the heavens would be shaken (Haggai 2:20-21), evil people would be overthrown (2:22), and the Messiah will be exalted (2:23). This future hope motivated righteousness among Haggai's contemporaries.
The same is true of God's people today. Titus 2:12-13 exhorts believers to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ." The prophetic future gives hope to those living in the present.
(POINT 10) “It is good to review your PRIORITIES from time to time.”
Haggai reminded the people that while they busied themselves with their own houses, the house of God—the Temple—was lying in ruins. The people cared more about themselves than they cared for God. This showed that their priorities were out of balance. Haggai put the people back on track, keeping God and His Temple the top priority (Haggai 1:9-11). Haggai exhorts, "Consider your ways" (1:5,7).
Lesson learned! Let us consider our ways and make every effort to keep our priorities straight daily.
