“Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,” says the LORD; “and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,” says the LORD, “and work; for I am with you,” says the LORD of hosts. Haggai 2:4
The last three books of the Old Testament (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) are the so-called “Post-exilic Prophets” because each was addressed to the newly returned group of Jews from the Babylonian Exile. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the people began the task of rebuilding the temple (Ezra 1-6). But sixteen years after the process began, the people had yet to finish the project. Instead of completing the house of God, the people were busy building their own homes and careers. Into this sorry scene of misguided priorities stepped Haggai to exhort the people to put first things first. The prophet Haggai preached a series of fiery sermons designed to stir up the nation to do three things:
1) To renew their courage in the Lord. Haggai assessed the nation’s condition and summarized it in Haggai 1:7-11. And the people responded in repentance and obedience to the Lord. The prophet’s message was simple: God is with Israel. And that stirred up the hearts of the people to begin work again on the temple of God (1:13-14).
2) To renew holiness in their lives. The returning exiles allowed good things to replace God’s best in their lives. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually, their time and energy were diverted into building something good (their own homes) instead of building God’s best (the temple). Haggai exhorted them to return and give to God their best sacrifices; to offer themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and to put Him first in their lives.
3) To renew their faith in God. The prophet proclaimed God’s blessing on the people and told them to have faith in the Lord as they gave their lives and finances to build the temple (2:19).
Do you need to re-adjust your priorities so that you can stay focused on finishing what God has called you to do? If you do the same three things that Haggai instructed the nation to do, you will regain the passion and motivation again to finish the work that was started. Jesus exhorts us in Luke 14:28-30 to count the cost and be good finishers. Don’t let challenges and obstacles discourage or disillusion you. Pray and ask God today to stir up your spirit like He did with Zerubbabel and the people. Make a decision today to be a good finisher and fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
The last three books of the Old Testament (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) are the so-called “Post-exilic Prophets” because each was addressed to the newly returned group of Jews from the Babylonian Exile. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the people began the task of rebuilding the temple (Ezra 1-6). But sixteen years after the process began, the people had yet to finish the project. Instead of completing the house of God, the people were busy building their own homes and careers. Into this sorry scene of misguided priorities stepped Haggai to exhort the people to put first things first. The prophet Haggai preached a series of fiery sermons designed to stir up the nation to do three things:
1) To renew their courage in the Lord. Haggai assessed the nation’s condition and summarized it in Haggai 1:7-11. And the people responded in repentance and obedience to the Lord. The prophet’s message was simple: God is with Israel. And that stirred up the hearts of the people to begin work again on the temple of God (1:13-14).
2) To renew holiness in their lives. The returning exiles allowed good things to replace God’s best in their lives. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually, their time and energy were diverted into building something good (their own homes) instead of building God’s best (the temple). Haggai exhorted them to return and give to God their best sacrifices; to offer themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and to put Him first in their lives.
3) To renew their faith in God. The prophet proclaimed God’s blessing on the people and told them to have faith in the Lord as they gave their lives and finances to build the temple (2:19).
Do you need to re-adjust your priorities so that you can stay focused on finishing what God has called you to do? If you do the same three things that Haggai instructed the nation to do, you will regain the passion and motivation again to finish the work that was started. Jesus exhorts us in Luke 14:28-30 to count the cost and be good finishers. Don’t let challenges and obstacles discourage or disillusion you. Pray and ask God today to stir up your spirit like He did with Zerubbabel and the people. Make a decision today to be a good finisher and fulfill God’s purpose for your life.
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