Priorities. A flood hit the hill country of a Texas town back in 1978. A woman and her children scrambled out of the house and the children reached a large tree first. The waters were getting higher and higher and the children made a chain, holding each other’s hands, to help each other get through the flood water. But the mom would not turn loose of her insurance papers, she would not drop those insurance papers! And she was washed away by the flood waters.
Priorities. We live in a world that demands our time. Our energy. Our money. Our talents. Our efforts. But if we are not careful, we can get distracted from what is important because we are focusing on what is urgent.
Isn’t that a temptation for us today? If preaching the Gospel is going to cause opposition and force us to be viewed negatively, then we can either water-down the Gospel so it doesn’t offend anyone or we can simply focus inward, on ourselves, and not try to teach people the Gospel. Either way, the devil wins and the house of God falls into ruins.
Consider the thoughts of the prophet Haggai from 1:5-2:9…
CONSIDER YOUR WAYS – 1:5:
The Jews were intent on building their own houses and content with allowing the “house of the Lord” (the temple) to lie desolate (vs 4). It seems clear that they had the time, money, energy, and motivation to decorate their own houses but had completely left the house of God in disrepair. Where were their priorities?
So, Haggai calls on Israel to “consider” their ways (vs 5). What were their “ways”? He tells them what is happening in their lives in verse 6. What we have here is a case of misplaced priorities! They were focusing on the physical and ignoring the spiritual; focusing on the immediate and ignoring the eternal. These Jews were not idolatrous. They were not atheistic. They were apathetic. They were complacent. They were distracted by “worries and riches and pleasures of this life” (see Luke 8:14).
CONSIDER YOUR WAYS – 1:7:
The most important message in this part of the text is in verse 8: “Go, bring wood, and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified.”
Punishment is intended to motivate repentance!
THE PEOPLE SHOWED REVERENCE FOR THE LORD – 1:12:
Everyone, from the civil leader (Zerubbabel) and the religious leader (Joshua), including all the remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord through Haggai, God’s spokesman. In fact, in the original language, the word “obeyed” is first in the sentence, to emphasize that they obeyed the Lord God. In obeying, they “showed reverence” for the Lord. The verb “showed reverence” is the verb “to fear.” They “feared before the face [literally] of the Lord.”
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TAKE COURAGE AND WORK – 2:4:
Almost a month later, it seems as a preemption to more discouragement, Haggai is sent back to the Jews with another message (vs 3). Some were discouraged because this new temple was not shaping up to be as beautiful as Solomon’s temple. As we all know, pessimism and discouragement are contagious.
So, to offset the natural tendency in so many people to compare the poor condition of the present with the wonderful memory of the past, God sends Haggai to the people with a new message: “Take courage and get to work!”
In verse 5, God reminds the Israelites of a promise that is now something like 1,000 years old but if it is a promise of God, then it is not out-of-date. In verses 6-9, God promises that even though the temple might look shabby, He is going to shake the nations so that they will come, bringing silver and gold to the temple. Then, the temple will be filled with God’s glory.
When we look at this text in light of our own lives, I suggest these lessons:
1.) We need to consider our ways. Yes, we have to earn a living and take care of our families. But to what extent are we concerned about the church of Christ, Christ’s spiritual temple, and its well-being, health, and expansion?
2.) When we get our priorities in order, God will take care of everything else. Could it be that things are not going right with us because we are not putting God’s interests at the heart of our decisions? Matt 6:33.
3.) We need to show reverence / fear for God by obeying His word. Putting spiritual priorities into our lives.
4.) We should also be courageous and work. Give to God what belongs to Him, not just financially but our time, energy, talents, and skills. The church can do so much more if we will use our own resources for the glory of the kingdom.
Because Jesus Christ is greater than Solomon’s temple (Matt. 12:6), then our work is even more important than what those Jews were doing.
Let us take courage. Let us work. Let us not fear. God will be with us.
–Paul Holland
