A Goaded People- Haggai 1

We return to an Old Testament book, what is known as one of the Minor Prophets, or one of the 12. I am sure you all remember meeting Haggai when we were working our way through the book of Ezra (see Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14).

The people of God, that is, that nation of Judah (for the northern ten tribes of Israel had already been taken captive and dispersed), continually rejected their covenantal God, worshipping false gods and goddesses. They refused to listen to the prophets calling the people of God back to Himself. As a result, God brought the covenantal curses (see Deut. 28:15-68). One of the horrific ramifications of these curses, as Judah would find out, was the destruction of the Temple.

We noted how vital the Temple was to Israel. It was where God’s presence resided, they wrongly thought. This book of Haggai takes place during the book of Ezra, so I encourage you to go back and read through Ezra to get a feel for the historical context.

Haggai’s book serves two purposes, though they could easily be divided into four (as are his prophetic utterances). One involves encouraging the people to get to work. The land of Judah, including the Temple of God, was devastated by the Babylonians (at God’s call).

Through God’s providential guidance of pagan rulers (Cyrus and Darius), the Lord brought HIs people back to the land of Judah. They began the work of rebuilding the land, their homes, and the Temple. However, through the course of events, the construction of the Temple stopped (Ezra 4).

The people were not doing what the Lord commanded. They were like children who were given a task by their parents and began it, but became distracted by their toys, and quickly forgot about their parents’ command to clean their room.

Brothers and sisters, we face the same danger of distraction today. As unique beings, that is, beings that are spiritual and physical, we can, at times, be so wrapped up in this life that we miss the main reason we exist: for God’s glory, not our own pleasure and fulfillment. James reminds us of the dangers of apathy and self-interest, when he writes, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving themselves.” (James 1:22)

We are self-deceived into thinking that merely attending church is good enough. We are lying to ourselves when we think that as long as we give financial resources to church we are okay. While we may busy ourselves building homes, laying up treasures for retirement, and enjoying the comforts and blessings of life, we are like the people of the Old Covenant who neglected the Temple. They were deceived, and we will note that in a moment.

What I want us to see this morning is that

As members of the New Covenant, we must seek first God’s Kingdom by serving Him first, avoiding self-deception by active obedience, and relishing our union with the Godhead

I. We Seek God’s Kingdom by Avoiding Self-Deception- 1:2-6

The prophet Haggai receives this message from the Lord. It is addressed to the representatives of the people: Zerubbabel and Joshua. However, the people were listening as well, for this applied to them, too (see 1:12). We seek God’s kingdom, first, by avoiding self-deception. Now, this is tied in with the second point this morning (active obedience), but the implications of this are vital for us to consider.

What is self deception? We all know what it is, it is the deception of one’s self. However, a word-picture may be better suited for us. I want you to think about an individual who struggles with an addiction. It is a brutal master. The individual wants to satisfy the craving and will do whatever it takes to get it.

Now, we must be careful to balance the will of the individual and the strength of the addiction. It is no easy thing to overcome an addiction. However, the individual is often blind to their addiction. At first, only close relations can notice (perhaps a wife or husband). Slowly, friends begin to pick up on it. And finally, everyone can see it. That is, everyone but the addict.

He is self-deceived. He is blinded to the truth of his addiction. Everyone else can see it but he himself. The similarities between an addict’s self-deception and the sinner’s self-deception are stark.

The Old Covenant people assumed that because they were “God’s people” they could do whatever they pleased. It is similar to New Covenant believers today. They assume that mere church attendance is okay, that a once-a-week (or, once a month or ECO Christians, or fellowship) will be okay. They fail to live as New Covenant believers and deceive themselves into thinking they are members of the New Covenant.

Jesus tells us the same truths in Matthew 7:21-23

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The people deceived themselves into thinking that simply by their nationality they were God’s people. Consider how you have fared, my brothers and sisters. We must avoid self-deception, but this only happens when we are actively obedient (James 1:22)

II. We Seek God’s Kingdom by Active Obedience- 1:7-11

The problem of these people was their self-focus, their self-interest, to the exclusion of God and His will (i.e., His Temple). Notice their neglect of God’s House. God clearly tells the people why they are under the covenantal curses. They were not obeying the LORD!

Now, we must be careful here, for we are New Covenant believers, and as such, the Old Covenant (Mosaic Covenant) has ceased (see the book of Hebrews). Their covenantal obedience brought covenantal blessings, and their covenantal disobedience brought covenantal curses. We, however, do not experience the same obligations. Our New Covenant blessings are spiritual in nature (Eph. 1:3) with future, physical ramifications (Rev. 21-22).

However, what we see as New Covenant believers is that self-deception is destroyed through active obedience. This is precisely what James teaches in James 1:22. If you do the Word, if you obey the Lord and follow His commands and will for your life, you will not deceive yourself. Again Haggai commands the people to consider how they have fared. Check your life, how is it?

You know, we do regular checks of our cars, our homes, and even our physical health. We want to make sure we have everything working properly. But when is the last time you ran a diagnostic on your spiritual health? When is the last time you gave thought to your relationship to God? Have you been a doer of the Word?

How can you tell? Again, look at your life. We will take the fruit of the Spirit, though there are many passages to which we could look. Do you have love? Do you have peace? Do you have patience? Do you have kindness? Do you have generosity? Do you have faithfulness? Do you have gentleness? Do you have self-control?

Before you answer in your mind, keep in mind that this in no way implies that you have these to the fullest at all times. However, consider how you have fared. When you are living life in accordance with the Word of God, the Spirit will bear fruit. Or, as Jesus says in the Gospel of John, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Seek first the Kingdom of God and avoid that self-deception.

III. We Seek God’s Kingdom by Relishing Our Union with the Godhead- 1:12-15

We could say this is the fountain from which avoidance of self-deception and active obedience stems. We touched on this briefly a second ago, but when you consider the words that God speaks to Zerubbabel, which through the New Covenant applies to all who believe, you cannot miss it.

“I am with you,” says the LORD. I am with you. Do you feel the weight of this? Are you being self-deceived? Lacking the motivation for active obedience? Remember that the LORD is with you. This wonderful promise is echoed in the Old Testament and comes to full view when Jesus became man. Do you remember what the prophets foretold? Matthew 1:22-23

Matthew 1:22–23 ESV

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).

Get to work on the Temple, be active in your obedience! Haggai cries. Stop deceiving yourselves, consider how you have fared. The Lord is with you. Let the Spirit bear His fruit through your life.

Or, perhaps the Lord is not with you. Perhaps you are like many of the people of Israel who were identified as God’s people in name only, and not in their hearts. Perhaps the Lord is not with you. Do you know how to change this?

You simply call on the name of the LORD. He says to come. He invites you to take up His yoke (Matt. 11:28-30).

As members of the New Covenant, we must seek first God’s Kingdom by serving Him first, avoiding self-deception by active obedience, and relishing our union with the Godhead.

Consider your ways.