This House

Introduction

What are some things that you take pride in? Keep in mind many of the things we take pride in or that are near and dear to our hearts we take care with sincerity. In this first chapter of Haggai we are introduced to a situation I believe applies to us as a church. One of the goals of studying, participating in a bible study or hearing a sermon there is a collective application and a personal application. The goal is that through the word taught we see changes in our lives individually and collectively as a congregation.

Understand how the dispelling of God’s word works today. Understand that this is a special date for God’s people. So much so in verse one they notate the date in the bible. Nonetheless the word of the Lord came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.

The word of God through Haggai to the people of Judah there was a message that God needed the people to hear and he uses Haggai to spread that message. Sometimes it is not the message but the messenger. As a people we have to be content with the message before we will every embrace the messenger. Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Again we see similar sentiments from Isaiah in who says of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and he shall fulfill all my purpose; saying of Jerusalem, She shall be built, and of the temple, Your foundation shall be laid.

Be mindful of how we should approach change, understand at the end of , many people sang praises but many also wept. For every one that is happy for this moment, there are people that have memories etched in their heart of how things used to be.

The Day Haggai Said...

This was a special day, the exact day of the words of Haggai are documented in history forever.

Think about the special moments in your life you probably remember them down to the hour. In the second year on the first day of the sixth month.

1st day of the month - meant there was a new moon. Typically these days were reserved as holy.

From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath all flesh shall come to worship me, declares the Lord.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon at the full moon, on our feast day.

Through Haggai

It is quite unusual the author decided to open this book with “the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai”, the only other occurrence of this introduction is similar in in which states “the oracle of the word of the Lord to Isreal through Malachi.

Haggai explains that God has said that these people state, “the time has not come even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt”. Haggai responds to what they’ve said to God that is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?

Paneled houses or roofed houses. Haggai says we sit in our roofed houses while the God that blessed you with your house has a house that we won’t commit to.

Change only happens when your priorities are challenged.

The follow up question Haggai ask is consider your ways!

Consider is one of Haggai’s favorite words also means think on. And now, I pray you, consider from this day and backward. Again Haggai uses the word again in verse 18, “Consider, I pray you from this day and backward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of Jehovah’s temple was laid consider it.

Are you giving your all? God did not give you a unique gift for you to not use it in a major way.

Can you consider commitment? Can you consider working harder? Can you consider doing the work for the Lord?

After the Consideration

Verse six “You have sown much, but harvest people did, 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 purse with holes.

Understand that this was the 6th month and it was time for anticipated harvest. Therefore, no one wanted to work even though it was blessing season.

Our worship has to God from a place of plenty has to be just as sincere from a place of scarcity.

They said it was not time, it will never be the right time if it is left up us.

Consider 3 things:

A lot of work needed to be done and only a few did it. The text says it was a remnant of people.

The problem Haggai was having was that the same men were in demand for everything.

Do not confuse my vision for what God wants, pray that God is speaking through me to share what he desires.

How long will we leave the house of God in the hands of others and get upset when what is built is not what you thought it would look like?

Why does God have to stop the rain for us to stop taking credit for growth? Just to turn around and when God wants us to take a leap of faith we tell him it’s not time yet.

The first century church had members that sold all they had to make sure God’s kingdom was taken care of. They sold all their possessions to meet the needs of the kingdom and the needs of their brothers and sisters.

There might not be physical possessions, but what emotional and mental possessions are you holding on to? What can you let go of to be a better servant for God?

The church is not a responsibility of a few. All of us have responsibility, we are required to commit. Jesus committed to us physically, spiritually and financially.