Haggai – Seeking First The Kingdom
On 25 February we begin our new mini-series based in the prophet Haggai. To help us prepare, here is a brief introduction to the book and its themes.
If video is more your thing, please watch this excellent introduction to Haggai here.
The prophecy comes from the man Haggai, of whom very little is known or written. Most assume that he is well known and trusted at the time, for the book itself simply titles him as ‘the prophet Haggai’, the absence of any introduction or genealogy hinting at his status among God’s people at this time.
The history and dating are important to understand, as Haggai’s prophetic message speaks directly into the events of the time, specifically Israel’s release from Babylonian exile and their return to Jerusalem. Cyrus, King of Persia, conquered Babylon in 538BC, issuing a decree that all prisoners be freed to return to their homelands (Ezra 1-6 tells this story). So having been away in Babylon for many years, the Jews return to Jerusalem and face the bleak scene of a city in ruins - nothing but rubble.
Sixteen years go by and Haggai pops up, deeply distressed that so many years have gone by with the Temple still lying in ruins. His deep concern is that the priority of God’s House has been overlooked and that those returning have spent years focused only on rebuilding their own homes and lives. What about the Lord?!
Haggai 1:2-6
2 “Thus says the LORD of hosts : These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.” 3 Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5 Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. 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.
The challenge Haggai brought was serious. Not only did he dare to challenge the lack of priority for the Lord, he also linked the nation’s lack of agricultural, economic and natural resources as a judgment from the Lord. It was no only Haggai who felt grieved about the Temple - God too, he prophecies, is grieved by the lack of devotion to his house.
Haggai prophecies to the people that whatever they do, and whatever they offer is defiled.
Haggai 2:13-14
13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it not become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So it is with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean.”
But as with all true prophetic ministry, the voice of the Lord leads ultimately to salvation and blessing. Once the people have responded to the call Haggai brings, the tone changes to one of hope and promise. God will rebuild and re-fill his house!
Haggai 2:3-9
3 Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? 4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. 6 For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.”
What about us at Emmanuel?
As we come to this little book, let’s keep our hearts open to the voice of the Lord speaking to us directly. Let’s be courageous and ask similar questions of our own lives and times - are we in danger of becoming preoccupied with building our own houses while the Lord’s house takes second place? Whose glory are we more ambitious for, God’s or our own? Have we momentarily dropped our big vision to put the Lord central and first in our own lives every day?
Matthew 6:31-34
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.