Confused Priorities
Haggai 2:1-9
"'But 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, 'and work. For I am with you.'"
(Haggai 2:4)
The people of Judah had been exiled to Babylon in 586 B.C., the temple and Jerusalem destroyed. Now, the returning Jews who began rebuilding their temple were sidetracked and failing to complete the job. On behalf of God, Haggai confronted the people of their own selfishness and of living in beautiful homes while allowing God's house to sit unfinished. Putting their own desires and possessions ahead of God, they confused their priorities.
There's something that hits close to home with this passage. The world and its cares hold sway over us, too, and it's easy to lose sight of our calling to be students of and ambassadors for Christ. In just one verse, Haggai's word to the people from the Lord admonishes them three times to "be strong." This Hebrew word means binding and girding, the opposite of careless, or faith-heartedness. It's just what we need to hear, also! God's Spirit remains upon us; His presence empowers and strengthens us, binding and girding us for His service and His priorities.
INSIGHT
God has chosen us to be His agents, working with His resources. He is seeking out willing hearts and hands.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 9-10
Psalm 47
Luke 10
Haggai 2:1-9
1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak,[a] the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
Haggai 2:1-9
"'But 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, 'and work. For I am with you.'"
(Haggai 2:4)
The people of Judah had been exiled to Babylon in 586 B.C., the temple and Jerusalem destroyed. Now, the returning Jews who began rebuilding their temple were sidetracked and failing to complete the job. On behalf of God, Haggai confronted the people of their own selfishness and of living in beautiful homes while allowing God's house to sit unfinished. Putting their own desires and possessions ahead of God, they confused their priorities.
There's something that hits close to home with this passage. The world and its cares hold sway over us, too, and it's easy to lose sight of our calling to be students of and ambassadors for Christ. In just one verse, Haggai's word to the people from the Lord admonishes them three times to "be strong." This Hebrew word means binding and girding, the opposite of careless, or faith-heartedness. It's just what we need to hear, also! God's Spirit remains upon us; His presence empowers and strengthens us, binding and girding us for His service and His priorities.
INSIGHT
God has chosen us to be His agents, working with His resources. He is seeking out willing hearts and hands.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 9-10
Psalm 47
Luke 10
Haggai 2:1-9
1 on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak,[a] the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 5 ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’
6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the LORD Almighty. 8 ‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty. 9 ‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty."
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