Bible Chapter: Haggai 1 & 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Many Jews had been captives from previous wars and living in foreign lands.  King Cyrus of Persia allowed 50,000 Jews to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the temple.  They laid the foundation of the temple and then the work stopped.  Eventually, the people drifted from their original goals and started thinking about themselves.  God spoke through Haggai to wake them up and get going on God’s house.  The prophet spoke to them about the fancy houses they were building for their own comfort, as God’s house was in ruins.  They had their priorities all out of place.  God was no longer their first priority.
God challenged them to consider their ways.  They planted much and brought in little.  They ate and drank and did not have enough.  They had clothes and were not warm.  And, they earned wages to put them into a bag with holes.  They worked and worked and didn’t have much to show for it.  That is because they had lost God’s blessings.  They forgot God.  The good news is that they responded to and obeyed what the prophet told them God wanted them to do.  They knew that God was serious about His message to them.  They went to work.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
They completed the Temple.  But, it wasn’t as glorious as the previous one.  Some of the people remembered  the splendor of Solomon’s Temple that had been destroyed over 70 years earlier.  They were discouraged.  They didn’t need to be discouraged.  God promised that He would be with them.  He would fulfill all the promises made to their ancestors.  The Spirit of God was there with the people.  And, one of the things that makes the Temple so special is God’s glory that resides there.  The power and presence of the Lord is what always makes the difference.  God called for them to live pure lives and keep their hearts in tune with God’s purposes.  Reject ungodly influences.  The greatest goal was not the physical splendor of the building, but the power and presence of God.

3.  How can I help someone?
Keep your mind focused on what God wants you to do.  It is easy to get started.  It is harder to keep on going and complete what God wants.