William Carey, the Father of modern missions told his churches, If you will hold the ropes, I will go
down to look for the lost.” He started out with only six supporters but ended up staying 47 years in
India and setting in motion the entire modern missionary movement … More
Priority
The opening verses of Haggai delivered a message by the prophet, from the Lord, to a nation who had failed to rebuild the temple. The Jews who had returned from Babylon in 538 B.C. to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem were not able to finish their job because they were hindered by their enemies. Zerubbabel, governor of Judah and Joshua, the high priest had been the key leaders in rebuilding the temple (v. 1). After this opposition put a halt to progress, no further work was done for 15 years.
The people’s excuses are exposed, and their present miseries, both material and spiritual, are traced directly to a lack of right priorities. The leaders, as well as the people, had lost their vision for the completed temple and needed this rebuke from God through His prophet. God asked His people how they could live in luxury when His house was lying in ruins (vv. 2-6). Instead of rebuilding the temple, the people had put their energies into beautifying their own homes. The harder the people worked for themselves, the less they had, because of their selfishness.
Essentially the excuse amounted to confused priorities and procrastination. When a more convenient time came, they would consider resuming the task, but not now. Perhaps they were waiting for improved economic conditions (1:6, 11) or the opposition from unfriendly neighbors to stop. Whatever their reasons, the people were neglecting the one task to which they had been commissioned by God and Cyrus. With stinging force, the Word of the Lord came through Haggai to refute the people (vv. 7-15). If it is not time to build the Lord’s house, how have you managed to construct your own paneled houses. Selfishness is stressed by the pronoun “for you yourselves.”
Application
Like Judah, our priorities involving occupation, family and God’s work are often confused. Jobs, homes, vacations and leisure activities may rank higher on our priority list than God. What is most important to me? Where is God on my list of priorities?
Haggai 1:1-15 (English Standard Version)
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The command to build God’s house
Haggai 1:1–15
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
William Carey, the Father of modern missions told his churches, If you will hold the ropes, I will go down to look for the lost.” He started out with only six supporters but ended up staying 47 years in India and setting in motion the entire modern missionary movement … More
The opening verses of Haggai delivered a message by the prophet, from the Lord, to a nation who had failed to rebuild the temple. The Jews who had returned from Babylon in 538 B.C. to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem were not able to finish their job because they were hindered by their enemies. Zerubbabel, governor of Judah and Joshua, the high priest had been the key leaders in rebuilding the temple (v. 1). After this opposition put a halt to progress, no further work was done for 15 years.
The people’s excuses are exposed, and their present miseries, both material and spiritual, are traced directly to a lack of right priorities. The leaders, as well as the people, had lost their vision for the completed temple and needed this rebuke from God through His prophet. God asked His people how they could live in luxury when His house was lying in ruins (vv. 2-6). Instead of rebuilding the temple, the people had put their energies into beautifying their own homes. The harder the people worked for themselves, the less they had, because of their selfishness.
Essentially the excuse amounted to confused priorities and procrastination. When a more convenient time came, they would consider resuming the task, but not now. Perhaps they were waiting for improved economic conditions (1:6, 11) or the opposition from unfriendly neighbors to stop. Whatever their reasons, the people were neglecting the one task to which they had been commissioned by God and Cyrus. With stinging force, the Word of the Lord came through Haggai to refute the people (vv. 7-15). If it is not time to build the Lord’s house, how have you managed to construct your own paneled houses. Selfishness is stressed by the pronoun “for you yourselves.”
Application
Like Judah, our priorities involving occupation, family and God’s work are often confused. Jobs, homes, vacations and leisure activities may rank higher on our priority list than God. What is most important to me? Where is God on my list of priorities?
Haggai 1:1-15 (English Standard Version)
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