Gleanings from Haggai

The prophet Haggai ministered to the Israelites who had returned from captivity in Babylon and were poorly motivated to rebuild the temple as had been commanded by the Persian king Cyrus 17 years earlier. Several points still retain their sharpness after 2,500 years:

1. God's people are to reflect on their ways: "Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Consider your ways'" (Haggai 1:5 ESV). Time for introspective inspection is important, so that we may measure the priorities and intentions of our hearts against the standard of God's Word.
   
2. A person who pursues his own desires is never satisfied, "You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes" (Haggai 1:6 ESV). This last statement is especially poignant for those of us who continue to stash money away in retirement accounts but wonder about the fate of the economy and stock market in coming years.
   
3. God is not pleased with our spiritual indifference and misplaced priorities. We live in paneled houses (luxury) yet are stingy toward advancing God's Kingdom here on earth. This can also be applied to time and energy.
   
   "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things
   will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33
   
4. Fallen men are masters at rationalization. The Israelites didn't come right out and say they didn't want to rebuild the temple. Instead they said, 'Now isn't the right time.'
   

Oh, that God would give us hearts that leap at his word, like the Israelites did. Haggai tells us that they "obeyed the voice of the LORD their God" and "feared the LORD" (1:12). They set out to work immediately. Because of their repentance, God gave them two further blessings. First, he comforted with the assurance, "I am with you, declares the LORD" (1:13). He also "stirred up [their] spirit" within them so that they were zealous and enthusiastic for the work God gave them to do (1:14).





So, in summary: a) self-examination; b) repentance; c) assurance; d) God-given zeal for His work. Sounds like a summary of the Gospel, doesn't it?