E-Message Bible/Commentary
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." --- Psalm 119:105
HAGGAI
The Real Message From Haggai
Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin? (Haggai 1:4)
Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin? (Haggai 1:4)
Even though Haggai has only two
chapters, it has a strong message. It was a message for the returning
Jews, and it still is a message for us today.
A remnant had returned to Jerusalem. They had started working to repair the temple, but had soon given up in discouragement. They were faced with opposition and self-doubt. They didn't think they could rebuild the temple to its former glory like the one Solomon had built. Therefore, the people gave up and became complacent. God was displeased because they lived in their completed houses while His house was in ruins.
God assured them that until they rebuilt the house of the Lord, He would destroy their crops. They would eat but would not be satisfied. They would drink and would still be thirsty. They would put on clothes and not be warm. They would earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it. God made it clear that He was not pleased with their complacency. (Haggai 1:6)
Twenty-three days later, the remnant knew God was serious and He would not let up on the punishment until they started to work on the temple. God reminded them of His covenant promise that He would be with them. The remnant laid the foundation, and God withdrew his punishment and began blessing them.
Life Application: When God tells us to do something and we become complacent and don't do it, He withholds blessings from us. However, when we start doing something, God blesses us immediately. Notice, God did not wait until the entire temple was built. The blessings came after the foundation was laid. (Haggai 2:18-19)
God is waiting for you to lay the foundation for something right now. Until you do, you will NEVER be satisfied. Your purse will ALWAYS have holes in it.
____________________________________________________________________________________________A remnant had returned to Jerusalem. They had started working to repair the temple, but had soon given up in discouragement. They were faced with opposition and self-doubt. They didn't think they could rebuild the temple to its former glory like the one Solomon had built. Therefore, the people gave up and became complacent. God was displeased because they lived in their completed houses while His house was in ruins.
God assured them that until they rebuilt the house of the Lord, He would destroy their crops. They would eat but would not be satisfied. They would drink and would still be thirsty. They would put on clothes and not be warm. They would earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it. God made it clear that He was not pleased with their complacency. (Haggai 1:6)
Twenty-three days later, the remnant knew God was serious and He would not let up on the punishment until they started to work on the temple. God reminded them of His covenant promise that He would be with them. The remnant laid the foundation, and God withdrew his punishment and began blessing them.
Life Application: When God tells us to do something and we become complacent and don't do it, He withholds blessings from us. However, when we start doing something, God blesses us immediately. Notice, God did not wait until the entire temple was built. The blessings came after the foundation was laid. (Haggai 2:18-19)
God is waiting for you to lay the foundation for something right now. Until you do, you will NEVER be satisfied. Your purse will ALWAYS have holes in it.
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