Haggai: Prioritize the Things of God
A month earlier I preached Obadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament. Haggai is the second shortest, so I had a much easier job than Pastors Dan and Jeff. Unlike most of the prophets we have studied, Haggai was sent to God’s people after the exile. For centuries Israel was disobedient, and God sent prophets to call them to repentance. They dug in deeper. In 722 BC God sent Assyria to discipline the north, and in 586 BC Babylon came to discipline Judah. They captured Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, dethroned the king, and deported almost everyone for about 70 years. Then the Persians defeated the Babylonians and sent God’s people home. Back in Jerusalem, God sent Haggai.
The aim of the book is to challenge and encourage them to rebuild the temple, the dwelling place of God’s presence, their house of worship, and the center of God’s plan to save his people. It could not stay in ruins. But God’s people were slow to listen and slow to obey, and sometimes they need a fire lit beneath them. So it is a case study of how God moves and motivates his people into action. There are four little messages: one challenge and three encouragements. “One hard word and three soft words.” We need both. All hard words is not loving, and all soft words is not loving.
The Challenge (Haggai 1:1-11)
This was 520 BC, in the second year of Darius. Haggai spoke first to the governor and high priest. The people said the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. When they arrived they were motivated, but then came opposition and fights over land, and they lost heart. A break lasted 19 years. God’s reply: is it a time for you to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies in ruins? The paneled houses were state of the art, with perfect trim and paint. “It was wrong that they built their houses before they built God’s house.” Their priorities were out of order.
He says, consider your ways. You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You earn wages to put them in a bag with holes. They had prioritized the things of this world, and it was backfiring. “You looked for much, and behold, it came to little, and when you brought it home, I blew it away.” Why? Because of my house that lies in ruins. And the lesson is: “de-prioritizing the things of God will not go well for you.” The things of God are communion with him, reading his word, praying, meditating, worshiping with his people on a Sunday (not virtually, which is there if you need it but misses the point), serving, and obeying. If we neglect them, it will not go well for us. I pray it never goes well for someone I love who turns from God. “You know the worst thing that could happen that you could neglect the things of God and it go well for you.”
Their response in verse 12 was good. The leaders and the remnant obeyed, and the people feared the Lord. I hope we respond like that when a friend, spouse, pastor, or parent challenges us.
Encouragement One: God Is with You (1:13-15)
Haggai said, “I am with you.” Why does that need to be said? God is omnipresent. When my children were small and prayed, dear God, be with us today, I thought they were wasting his time. I was wrong. “This is not just mere presence this is the supportive presence of God.” He is helping, strengthening, enabling, encouraging, forgiving, and protecting you. It is the encouragement Jesus gave the disciples at the end of Matthew when he gave them an impossible task: behold, I am with you always.
Encouragement Two: The New Temple Will Be Greater (2:1-9)
Some of the old men had seen Solomon’s temple, and this one looked like nothing in comparison, a smaller, more modest building that would not hold the ark. God said, be strong and work, for I am with you. “The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former.” Why? Verse 9 says, in this place I will give peace. Peace had been lost since Genesis, with man alienated from God by sin, but God promised Abraham that peace would return. This temple, which stood when Jesus walked the earth, had a curtain separating the two rooms, and only one man could enter once a year. When Jesus breathed his last, Mark 15 says the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. Hebrews 10 says we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus.
Encouragement Three: Obedience Leads to Blessing (2:10-23)
The cleanness laws taught that uncleanness is contagious, and the people were an unclean people. But then verse 18 says from this day on I will bless you. “Obedience leads to blessing.” It is Matthew 6:33: seek first his kingdom and everything else will be added.
Haggai’s Message for Us
God has not called us to rebuild the temple. But what has he called you to do? When I was younger, there was pressure to do something extraordinary, like being a pastor or missionary. “It is great to love God with all your heart” and to love your neighbor. I was called to be a pastor for over 20 years, and he has called me today to clean concrete, and I praise him for that. He has called me to love my wife and raise six kids, and some of you to be a mom, a dad, a brother, a sister, a friend, an employee. “Comparisons are deadly in the Christian Life.” Our calling is to use what God has given us in humility for the glory of his name and the good of those around us. Prioritize your calling and get to work. God will be with you, God will keep his promises, and you will be blessed, though not in a superficial way. There will be suffering, but it is all part of a perfect story that ends in his glory and your joy.
Discussion Questions
- The people said the time was not right. What is God asking of you that you keep postponing?
- God said, consider your ways. Where have your priorities, such as your home, work, or comfort, come before the things of God?
- God said, I am with you. What would it look like to rely on his supportive presence in your calling this week?
Prioritize your calling and get to work.
