Daily Bread for Oct 1, Hag 1-2

Today’s readings are Hag 1-2.

Haggai fits right in the middle of the events depicted in the Book of Ezra and provides some of the details of how God used His prophets to jump-start the rebuilding of the Temple once it stalled. The people returning to Judah allowed external pressures, resistance and self-centered interests to halt the reconstruction of the Temple while they lived lavishly. Their offerings were not pleasing to the Lord while the Temple was left to languish and in dire need of repair.

In Hag 1 we hear that God is displeased that His house lays desolate while the homes of the people are finished and comfortable. This is one of the reasons they are struggling (Hag 1:5-6). Haggai brings instructions for concentrating their efforts on finishing the Temple. Zerubbabel leads the people in being obedient. It is interesting that all this happens because the Lord "stirred up the spirits of the people" (Hag 1:14) and not that they simply felt like cooperating. The phrasing here implies that those who were asleep were awakened and motivated to do the work.

There's a clear lesson here that tells us, the church, that worship and expressions of our faith are to remain a priority even if the culture turns against them. King Artaxerxes commanded a halt to the building of the temple. The people took that "break" as an opportunity to improve their own level of comfort. Meanwhile, they ignored God's directions to rebuild the temple. Haggai prophesies, and the people get back on track and finish the temple.

While the people are discouraged that the new Temple doesn't compare well to Solomon's Temple, God encourages them to work hard, He will be with them, and the glory of the finished Temple will surpass that of Solomon's Temple. There's a great lesson in here about judging humble beginnings too soon. In some cases, it takes time for God’s plan to mature. Meanwhile, we must be patient and trust that God does things perfectly and in His own timing. In Haggai’s prophecy, God also promises to transform Judah's lot from despair to blessing right after the fall planting (Hag 2:18).

The people turned away from God. As a result, they struggled. Yet, God will bless by His grace alone. They will be cleansed and blessed from the day the work resumes. It's important to realize that the blessing comes from hearts that are motivated to please God (see 1:14), not from the motivation to receive a blessing.

Haggai ends with a Messianic prophecy. We see the immediate blessing of obedience and the long-term blessing as well. The people have stumbled again, falling short of the things they have been called to do. By God's grace, they are restored and assured the His plan is still on track.

The lessons of Haggai should encourage us that God's plan is still on track in our lives even though we may stumble, even though we may be eager to see the results sooner than God intends.