Haggai - Background
Haggai is the second shortest book in the Old Testament – only Obadiah
is shorter. Haggai is often described as
a series of four messages by a seemingly insignificant prophet whose ministry
was apparently of a rather limited duration. However, I believe there is something more to
Haggai than this. Size does not always
determine worth. Haggai is the prophet
who ushers us into the study of the Hebrew people as they return to captivity. Few prophets have packed as much spiritual
common sense into their words as Haggai is able to do here.
Also remember that much of Haggai’s style mimics the time in which
he lived. Resources were scarce, there
was a job to do, and there often wasn’t time to do much else except defend the
land from invaders and those who would seek to defeat the Hebrew return. It is in that light that we find ourselves
reading these words.
Haggai’s First Message
Haggai sends his words to those who are in charge of the
rebuilding effort – and in effect to the whole group of refugees returning to
the land. The Persian king in charge,
Darius, had allowed people to return to Jerusalem, but they had not yet rebuilt
the temple. They had taken time to build
themselves homes but had not given consideration to God.
Haggai shows God’s irritation about this. Certainly the people needed shelter. God isn’t irritated that the people erected
shelters for survival prior to rebuilding a place to worship Him. God is irritated that they not only build
shelters but nice homes! It is likely
that Haggai’s condemnation of creating “paneled homes” means that they had
built some elaborate constructions.
Remember what it was that sent the Hebrew people into exile. They had neglected the Lord and pursued the desires
of their own hearts. Is it not this same
sin that rears its ugly head as soon as the refugees return to their
homeland? As soon as the people are free
from their oppression are they not thinking of themselves and their own
desires?
The message of verse 5 haunts me.
“You have sown much and reaped little.”
In other words, they have put in much effort bringing about what they
desire without putting in much effort in producing the works that God desires.
Then we turn to the rest of verse 5. “You eat, but you never have enough; you
drink, but you never have your fill.”
Haggai is declaring from the Lord that the people are more focused on
their own satisfaction before looking to the Lord. The Lord has provided for them, but they aren’t
satisfied. Rather than taking what the
Lord has given to them and responding, they take what the Lord gives and want
more. This is a serious dynamic to
understand, because it is largely what humanity is often about.
In fact, the Lord convicts the people about it. He says, “You looked for much, and behold it
came to little.” I think that this is an
incredible comment as it pertains to people who desire to follow the Lord. We can so easily make such grand plans, but
we fall short and often come to nothing.
It all has to do with our focus.
God causes us to prosper and instead of prospering in ways He desires
our hearts turn to prospering in ways that we desire. When that happens, we come to nothing.
The People Respond
It is rare to find such an immediate response to a prophetic
message. But here we hear that
Zerrubabel and Joshua hear Haggai’s message and lead the people into repentance. They fear the Lord.
Haggai gives them a response to their response. God says that He is with them. God causes them to renew their vigor and
focus upon the house of the Lord. The
work begins in earnest.
I think we can really learn two lessons from this portion of
text. First of all, human beings are
prone to mistakes. We are going to
occasionally have a flaw in perspective.
We will focus on the wrong things.
It is who we are; it will happen.
But this does not mean that God abandons us and leaves us to wallow in
our sin. He comes to us and gives us
opportunities to respond. God is a God
of second chances.
The second lesson that I believe we can learn is that it is God
who empowers us to be great. It is God
who reinvigorates the spirit of the people.
It is God who is at the core of our being. We should be slow in forgetting this fact and
quick to return to it when we do.
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