The ways of the Magi

Haggai 1

Haggai 1:1–15 LSB

1 In the second year of Darius the king, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2 “Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not come, even the time for the house of Yahweh to be rebuilt.”’” 3 Then the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, saying, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses while this house lies waste?” 5 So now, thus says Yahweh of hosts, “Set your heart to consider your ways! 6 “You have sown much, but bring in little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” 7 Thus says Yahweh of hosts, “Set your heart to consider your ways! 8 “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and rebuild the house of God, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says Yahweh. 9 “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; and you bring it home, and I blow it away. Why?” declares Yahweh of hosts, “Because of My house which lies waste, while each of you runs to his own house. 10 “Therefore, because of you the sky has restrained its dew and the earth has restrained its produce. 11 “And I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.” 12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, listened to the voice of Yahweh their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as Yahweh their God had sent him. And the people feared Yahweh. 13 Then Haggai, the messenger of Yahweh, spoke by the commissioned message of Yahweh to the people saying, “‘I am with you,’ declares Yahweh.” 14 So Yahweh 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 spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work on the house of Yahweh of hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king.

Do not Neglect (1-5)

Time

The peripherals of the past and the future determine our mind set of the present. If we do not study the past, and have no hope for the future, our present is filled with chaos and confusion. Those who understand the past, and look forward to the future have confidence and comfort in this present day.

Studying

Public opinion is the collective opinion of the people. As a community what is the perceptive of the assembly and how is it impacting the reality of the assembly?

Politics are the policies in play. The politics during the birth of Jesus were democratic in nature and application. As the “Magi” are reading Haggai and the building of the Second Temple, there is realization the parallels taking place during the birth of Jesus.

People

This is the study of the personalities and characteristics of the people in the past and how that has impacted the present.

Religion

The practice and application of a set of beliefs. Presently and futuristically- a set of consequences (here and now, as well as in the life to come, from decisions made in this life. Retribution Theology-Blessings and Curses

Morals, values, and actions that are dictated by our beliefs.

Understanding the Necessities (6-11)

Conforming

Conforming to the plan and will of God. The Plan of God in basic terms; death, resurrection, and return. The Will of God, in basic terms; is being thankful for the propitiation (Death of Jesus), redemption (the Resurrection of Jesus and the indwelling of the Holy Ghost), and sanctification (The indwelling of the Holy Ghost and process by which one is being made Holy).

Complying

Implementing the revelation of God’s plan to the world, the Divine Intervention of life of Jesus the Christ, to the Cross of Jesus the Christ, to the defeat of sin and death by Jesus the Christ, to the justice of the return of Jesus the Christ.

Confessing

This is the answer to the questions of Why? The motive behind our application for what we do and say.

Admitting the evils of ourselves, and the necessity for a sacrifice and savior.

Concerning

The blessings and curses bestowed upon a nation.

The consequences of disobedience and rebellion.

Transforming (12-15)

A sincere changing of motivation through the stirring of the Holy Ghost, by supporting the local congregation and community through the submission to the authority of God’s Word.