Haggai 1 contains the prophet’s
first prophecy. His words from the Lord were
told to Zerubbabel, the governor, and Jeshua, the High Priest, highlighting the
people’s complacency and lackadaisical attitude.
In verses 1-2, God, through
Haggai, sheds light on the Jews’ nonchalance. After laying the foundation of
the temple, they halted midway. We learned from our earlier discussions that
the task had stopped for nearly sixteen years. The people made the excuse that
they faced personal hardships and opposition from their enemies and felt it
wasn’t the right time to start the work.
Haggai expressed his concern in
verses 3-4, questioning why they could then build their own houses. He asked
them how they could use a large amount of the limited timber available to
construct their homes despite the shortage of wood needed for the temple. Their
selfish use of resources led to poverty and famine, serving as a wake-up call
for them.
In verses 7-11, God, through
Haggai, told the people to reconsider their complaints about their financial
struggles hindering the temple’s construction. Their reluctance to contribute
to the temple’s construction was the real reason for their predicament. The
underlying issue was that they had become too self-centered, prioritizing their
desires over those of God. Consequently, the people were instructed to go into
the forests and harvest timber to aid in constructing the temple.
Verses 11-15 show that Haggai’s
direct preaching led to a swift response. The people, acknowledging the truth
in his words, heeded his call and, in a little over three weeks, had
recommenced work on the temple. He reassured them of his presence as they began
to obey God and revere him.
Haggai 1 teaches us powerful
lessons on priorities and obedience to God. It also highlights the dangers of
complacency. Through this chapter, we hear
a call to prioritize our duties to God over those of our desires. When we heed God’s
call, we will experience the positive outcomes of obeying Him.
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