Haggai

For over a year the temple of God had been neglected and forgotten. The people built houses and planted vineyards, but nothing seemed to be working. Nature itself seemed against them. God was disappointed that they had forgotten His temple.

This was the condition of Israel awhile after they had returned from captivity in Babylon. It was a horrible spiritual condition – mostly because they had lost sight of God. But even in this dark hour there was still hope.

Prophets Haggai and Zechariah gave the people stirring testimonies telling them why they weren’t being blessed. If they would put God’s interests first they would be blessed.

To those who were discouraged Haggai encouraged them to consider their ways. Why have they done so little? Why are you concerned about your own house, but not the Lord’s? It is because of your fear of being poor, but that fear has become a reality because you did not put God first. Then the Lord revealed to the people the reason for their want. You looked for much, but little came. And when you brought it home I blew on it and caused a drought throughout the land. All because you let my temple lay in waste.

“Consider your ways,” urged the Lord. Go get supplies, build my house, and I will certainly be glorified.

The leaders and people of Israel took the message of counsel and reproof given through Haggai to heart. They felt God was serious and they dared not disobey lest they be cursed. So Zerubbabel and Joshua, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people started work on the house of the Lord.

As soon as Israel decided to obey the words of reproof, those words were followed by a message of encouragement.
Then Haggai spoke and assured the people that the Lord was with them, and they were doing the right thing. In less than a month, after work resumed on the temple, the builders received another comforting message. “Be strong, Zerubbabel, be strong Joshua, and be strong all ye people of the land for I am with you, said the Lord.”

When Israel was camped around Mount Sinai the Lord declared that they were His. Now again, even after they had rejected Him many times, the Lord was again bringing them to Himself. To His children today the Lord says, “Be strong, and work for I am with you.” The Christian always has a strong helper in the Lord. We might not understand how God works, but this we do know, He will never fail those who put their trust in Him. If Christians understood how many times God had protected them from Satan and not given up on them, they would never want to sin.

Zechariah who God raised up to help him emphasized Haggai’s messages of encouragement.
With fields lying waste, their few provisions and unfriendly people around the Israelites had to have faith and rely totally on God. Message after message was given by Haggai and Zechariah, encouraging the people to keep going because their efforts would be rewarded. Thus the builders were not left alone because the prophets of God helped them every step of the way. The Lord Himself declared, “Be strong for I am with you.”

The Lord also declared that from this day on they would be blessed.
To Zerubbabel their leader, who had been sorely tried when they came back from Babylon, was given a most precious message. “All the enemies of Israel will be cast down and in that day I will Make thee a signet, And bless you and all of Israel forever.”

In conclusion to this inspiring story we must always put God’s needs before anything else in the world. After all the Lord always put our needs first and on top of this He is our loving father so let’s not become selfish but always remember to put the Lord’s work first.
Amen

Richard Eaton