Haggai 1:1-15
Is it time to dwell in paneled homes, and let the Lord’s house lie in ruin? Evidently some think so, if they say: “I will serve the Lord as soon as I...”
1) “...finish my schooling”
2) “...get on top of the responsibilities of my job”
3) “...raise my children”
In each case, is not the bottom line the same?
1) The Lord’s house lies in ruin
2) While we go about our own way with our own lives
In Haggai’s day, it was not time to put other things before the Lord’s house; nor is it time to do so today!
1) We must put the kingdom of God first - Mt 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
2) We must put the Lord first - Mt 10:37-39 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Might we need to “consider our ways”? Are things not going the way they should? Perhaps there is a divine reason for the “drought” in our lives? Perhaps the Lord in His providence is telling us something! If we will put the Lord and His kingdom (house) first God will provide our necessities - Mt 6:31-33 “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” God will multiply our seed for sowing - 2 Co 9:6-11 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.” If we neglect the Lord’s work we won’t have God’s providence helping us; we may even experience God’s loving discipline - Hag 1:9-11; 1 Co 11:31-32; He 12:5-11
We saw that the Jews took to heart the message of Haggai - Hag 1:12 “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.” What we did not stress was the Lord's response: “I am with you, says the LORD.” (Hag 1:13). The phrase “I am with you” is interesting. It is similar to the promise made by Jesus in the Great Commission - Mt 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Thus we have the assurance that if we observe all that Christ commanded He will be with us always even as God was with Israel. Yet this blessed assurance is for those who do not let the Lord’s house lie in ruins while they dwell in paneled homes. Are you doing your part to build the Lord’s house?
