Haggai
Haggai is one of the smaller books in the Bible. It contains only two chapters. Nevertheless, there is much for us to learn from this small book.
Haggai is a prophet whose ministry occurred during the time when the people of Israel had returned to their land after spending 70 years in captivity. When the people returned to the land, they initially rebuilt the walls of the city of Jerusalem under the leadership of Nehemiah.
The next order of business was to rebuild the Temple which had been destroyed by the Chaldeans. During this time, a man named Zerubbabel was the governor of the area.
While the people were in captivity, they got idolatry out of their systems so to speak. However, they still had need of spiritual improvement. Nehemiah had to get the people to care about each other and to take care of one another. Nehemiah and Ezra the priest taught and exhorted the people so that they stayed on the right track spiritually.
One thing that the returning exiles failed to do was to get about the business of rebuilding the house of the Lord. As we read in Haggai's message, they were rebuilding their own houses, yet they had neglected the rebuilding of the Temple for worship. God was not pleased about being left out in the people's efforts and desires. He commissioned Haggai to tell the people to get to rebuilding the Temple.
In our lives, I believe that we fail to put God and the things of God first in our lives. We get all caught up in the affairs of our day to day lives, and we forget about what the Lord wants us to do for Him in this world.
I find that there are many who claim to be Christians who don't have their faith as the most prominent aspect of their lives. It is something that is just one more thing to them. Going to church is more or less a type of social activity. If something else comes up, the things of God are put on the back burner.
Another way to put it is that many don't have Jesus as Lord. He is not the all and all of life. He is not at the core. He is not what everything else centers around.
To my understanding, being a follower of Jesus means putting Him first and foremost. Following Jesus means asking what would Jesus do in each situation of life. It means following the will and the way of the Lord for our lives.
Haggai told the people that they needed to get their priorities in order. The Temple needed to get built.
Haggai went on to tell the people something very important. In Haggai 1:13, the Lord tells the people that He is with them. When they decided to go and start to rebuild the house of the Lord, God would be with them and help them to be successful in the work. He would guide them and lead them in the way that they needed to go.
That's just how it works in our walk with the Lord today. When we step out to do what God wants and when we put Him first in our lives, the Lord Jesus will be with us and go with us. He will never leave us, and He will never forsake us. With can know His peaceful presence within our hearts.
Whatever God tells you to do, He will help you to accomplish it.. You aren't out there alone. He gives the strength and the wisdom to do His work in the world.
There is one final thing that I would like to point out from the book of Haggai. Haggai the prophet was an encourager. He provided a message of hope to the people and to their leaders.
All of us at some time in our lives need some encouragement. And, we need to encourage others. I know several people that could have done more than what they have done in life if they had had more encouragement when they were younger.
Give a word of hope and encouragement to others when you have the chance. I know that it will make a great deal of difference in someone's life.
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