Greetings, beloved of God,
Today, let’s take some time to learn from the warnings given to the children of Israel through the prophet Haggai:
“So now, thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Set your heart to consider your ways!’”
Haggai 1:5
Haggai prophesied after the 70-year exile of the children of Israel. At this time, God showed them mercy and brought them back to their land. The Lord instructed them to rebuild the temple. However, after returning, the children of Israel followed in their forefathers’ footsteps and neglected the house of God.
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not come, even the time for the house of Yahweh to be rebuilt.”’”
Haggai 1:2
The indictment by God starts with a statement, where God notes, “The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of God.” The Lord responds to this statement by confronting the hypocrisy of the people who chose to build houses for themselves instead of rebuilding the temple.
“Is it time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses while this house lies waste?”
Haggai 1:4
In this indictment, a stark contrast is drawn between the houses the people built for themselves and the state of the Lord’s house. While the people’s houses were well-covered, the house of God lay desolate and in ruins.
The purpose of this indictment is to highlight how the people had forgotten God and chosen to satisfy themselves. It was clear that the reason the people were sent into exile was because of the sins they had committed against God.
“However, Yahweh did not turn from His great burning anger, which burned against Judah because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him to anger. And Yahweh said, ‘I will remove Judah also from My presence, as I have removed Israel. And I will reject Jerusalem, this city which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, “My name shall be there.”’”
2 Kings 23:26-27
Because of this negligence, God offers a warning and a call to action, telling the people to “consider their ways.” Specifically, the Lord tells them to set their hearts to consider their ways. God goes directly to the heart of the matter. He understands that the reason the children of Israel are not responding in accordance with His will is because their hearts are not set right.
This is the case each time we do not obey God. The main reason is that our hearts are not set to consider what we are doing. Because of this, God calls upon the children of Israel to set their hearts to consider their ways and to recognize how they are drifting away from Him, despite having been judged before the exile for their hardened hearts.
After this pronouncement, God expounds on how far the people have strayed from Him:
“You have sown much, but bring in little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”
Haggai 1:6
Because the people’s priorities were not set right, they sought to please themselves before serving God. Instead of rebuilding the temple and glorifying God, they focused on feeding, drinking, clothing themselves, and earning wages. They expected these things to satisfy them, but they were mistaken. Instead of finding contentment, they found themselves in strife with God.
This is what happens when we seek the things of the world instead of the things of God. All our efforts to be satisfied with worldly things will bear no fruit.
For the second time, the Lord tells them to set their hearts to consider their ways.
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Set your heart to consider your ways!’”
Haggai 1:7
It should be well understood that the main focus of our whole lives is simply to glorify God in everything. Paul, writing to the Colossians, says, “Whether in word or deed, do all in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 3:17).
This is the same message the prophet, speaking for God, offers as the solution to the people of the land. Instead of focusing on themselves and the concerns of this world, including wealth and provisions, they should do everything that God instructs and glorify Him.
“Go up to the mountains and bring wood and rebuild the house of God, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says Yahweh.
Haggai 1:8
Let’s take a moment to consider our ways:
- Have we neglected the one purpose we have in life — to glorify God?
- Are we more focused on living comfortable lives in this world, thereby ignoring the house of God?
- Are we intentionally working on building up the church of God and edifying the body of Christ?
I hope this word challenges us to rethink our priorities in life with what we have been blessed with.
Blessings, Paul
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