“This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: ‘The people say the right time has not come to rebuild the Temple of the Lord.’” 3. Then Haggai the prophet spoke the word of the Lord: 4. “Is it right for you to be living in fancy houses while the Temple is still in ruins?” 5. This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: “Think about what you have done. 6. You have planted much, but you harvest little. You eat, but you do not become full. You drink, but you are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but you are not warm enough. You earn money, but then you lose it all as if you put it into a purse full of holes.” 7. This is what the Lord All-Powerful says: “Think about what you have done. 8. Go up to the mountains, bring back wood, and build the Temple. Then I will be pleased with it and be honored,” says the Lord. Haggai 1:2-8 NCV
What has happened that cause the Israelites to stop building God’s House, the Temple? When the first company of Jews returned to Jerusalem had laid the foundation for a new temple in 536 B.C. and there was a great excitement. But soon afterwards, the Samaritans and other neighbors physically opposed the building project and discouraged the workers so that the work on the Temple stopped in 534 B.C. The people turned to rebuild their own houses. This is where Haggai started preaching to the people. When the people put God first, He blessed them. But when they forgot God, God stopped His blessings to His people. The people began to notice many problems had come to them.
In 520 B.C., Haggai in his 80’s and Zechariah who was the younger prophet worked together and began urging Zerubbabel, the governor and Joshua, the high priest, and the Israelite people to go back and rebuild God’s Temple. Four years later the temple was completed and dedicated (Ezra 4-6).
What does this devotion apply to us? The Lord asks us to “think about our ways.” If we did not put Him first in our lives, what do you think would happen? The answers are found in the Scriptures from verse 5 to 7. Think about this and allow God’s Word to teach us His ways.
