Haggai 1;1-5

The root of the problem

Haggai, a prophet whose ministry was written about in the book of Ezra as well as here; spoke to the people in a couple of different messages. His audience members were the exiled Jews who had returned to Judah during the reign of King Darius, who was the ruler of the Persian empire. After arriving they began to rebuild the temple destroyed by the Babylonians. That was their specific intention for returning to Judah. On arriving the people were busy building the foundation of the temple. but, then they lost their get up and go momentum. Their interest in building the temple shifted and for over a decade the rebuilding was on hold. Their focus shifted to building homes for themselves and preparing fields for crops. Their homeland that they were exiled from had been turned into wilderness. The Jews struggled with the land to make it ready for crops, and they worked on their homes that this passage seems to say were rather lavishly appointed homes.

For over a decade they struggled in the land, and even the funds that were set aside for the temple rebuilding was spent on an effort to make the community a better one that suited to their needs.

#1 What had the people of Judah forgotten?

They forgot what their priority was. Putting God first was not what was going on.

Haggai’s first message was to encourage them to begin to rebuild the temple. to recommit to what they had started.

#2 Can you think of a time where you commited to something only to lose interest in it? How does it feel to look back at that lack of commitment now?

I am disappointed that I didn’t stick to my word. I feel like I failed.

#3 Haggai called the people to action, but what is the origin of the message?

The origin of the message is a divine revelation direct from God.

Do we have any procrastinators in the group? I certainly have my moments. The people of Judah are being taken to task by God for their long drawn out time of procrastination. Their excuses for not rebuilding the temple were deemed to be selfishness and neglect of their first priority - God.

#4 List one way in which you can begin today to reorder your priorities.

I can begin my day with a prayer asking God to reveal His will for me that day.

i can