It is Building Time, Pt 2 – My House is in Ruins
Haggai 1:1-15
In our previous Introduction, we noted that Haggai’s ministry spanned a period of 4 months. His writing is composed of four messages/ sermons which he received from God. In this segment, we will look at the first of these messages, which was delivered on September 1, 520 B.C.
Not much is known about Haggai’s life. From the context of his writing and his mention in the book of Zechariah, it appears that he returned from Babylon with the remnant under Zerubbabel and was living in Jerusalem. Some think he was born in Judah before the fall in 586 B.C. and could remember the former temple (Haggai 2:3). Others suppose he was born in Babylon during the captivity. If the former is the case, he would have been about 75 years old when he delivered these messages. In the book of Zechariah, he is portrayed as working alongside the younger prophet (Zechariah) as they exhort the people to rebuild the temple.
On September 1, 520 B.C., the word of the Lord came to Haggai directing him to speak first to the governor, Zerubbabel and the high priest, Joshua. This portion of the message was quite brief but particularly important as we shall see.
“This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built”” (Haggai 1:2). It must have been quite astonishing for them to realize that God had been listening to what these people were saying!
Time and again, we ask the Lord to hear our cries, to give ear to our supplications, etc., but we may not be so mindful that He actually hears everything we say. David apparently understood that when he wrote, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). In this case, God was not pleased with their words of excuse concerning the time for rebuilding His house.
The next portion of God’s initial message through Haggai was directed to the people admonishing them for their lack of zeal and their procrastination in this work. He rebuked them for being so consumed with their earthly houses while the house of God was left unattended. The phrase, “dwell in your paneled houses”, may seem unkind and unrealistic as though they shouldn’t have houses nor take care of them. However, in their language (Hebrew), “to dwell” carries the thought that one would settle himself and remain in that one place. The term, “paneled”, also implies a covering under which one hides himself or excludes himself from any outside concern. So, the rebuke from the Lord is that they were enclosing themselves within their own domain under their control and giving no attention to the things of God nor the needs of others.
Therefore, He said, “Consider your ways!” (vs. 5). This word “consider” is composed of three other words. The literal combination for the phrase would be “Settle for yourselves your heart in your ways”. A similar thought is written by the prophet Jeremiah, “Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven” (Lamentations 3:40). God, through Haggai, is calling the people to follow their hearts rather than their appetites.
We now hear the Lord’s description of the inflation that was ravaging their land and His assessment of why it was happening. Given the present-day similarity that faces us, we might want to pay close attention to these words of Haggai: “You have sown much and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes” (Haggai 1:6).
What could have caused this frustrating condition? Who is behind this? Once again, Haggai speaks the words of God: “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home I blew it away. Why? Says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house” (Haggai 1:9). God goes on totake full responsibility for the drought that has come upon their land and the adverse effects it has brought upon the people, their livestock, and their property (vs. 11).
Once again, from our perspective, we may think the Lord is being vindictive and abusive toward the people whom He has chosen and loved. What could be His motive? Why is He taking these hurtful measures? Well, let’s think about that for a few moments.
As you will recall, the temple had remained in ruins (khaw-rabe, meaning dry or parched) for 66 years since the fall and for 14 years since they had stopped rebuilding. God had been very patient, but they had been fearful and negligent. Like the temple, their own hearts had become dry and parched. His love for them had not withered and His desire for them to “Make a joyful shout to the Lord … serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing … enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise” (Psalm 100: 1,2,4) had not waned. So, in order to awaken them from their apathy and mental drowsiness, the Lord acted in a decisive manner.
We may well remember that our God does not bring us harm without also bringing us help; nor does He allow us to hurt without offering us healing. Hear again the words of the prophet Hosea: “Come let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up” (Hosea 6:1).
In the midst of these trying conditions, God provided the solution: “Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified” (Haggai 1:8). This directive is both a command and a word of encouragement. He is telling them that they must do it, but He is also telling them that they can do it. They need not shrink under the difficulties nor fear the adversaries. Haggai confirms this as he continues, “I am with you, says the Lord” (Haggai 1:13). It is as St Paul reminded the church in Rome, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
The governor and the high priest, along with all the people, were stirred by Haggai’s words. They clearly heard the word of the Lord (vs. 12). Their spirits were set ablaze and they were inspired to obey the voice of the Lord. “They came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God” (Haggai 1:14).
Again, as we mentioned in the Introduction, we would do well to apply these messages to the temples of our bodies and souls. Perhaps some of us have found ourselves like unto that temple – desolate, dry, parched. We have sensed an absence of joyful singing, serving with gladness, and of thanksgiving and praise. Like those in Jerusalem, we may have given priority to worldly matters at the expense of our souls and spiritual matters.
Understandably, we are troubled with the inflation in our day, being faced with the uneasiness that our “bags are filled with holes” (not inferring that this is all the doing of the Lord!). It is distressing to hear the growing number of voices opposed to our faith and values. Some of us may tend to hide ourselves within ourselves and begin to neglect our spiritual health. This temple that God has given us – our body and soul – begins to lie desolate, an unwelcoming place for the Lord to abide.
But He is clearly reminding us that His love and mercy have not forsaken us. “I am with you, says the Lord” (vs. 13).
What, then, can we do?
Go up to the mountains – “Seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3: 1,2).
Bring wood – “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God … and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 12:1; 6:13).
Rebuild the temple – “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6,7).
He is with us. We can do it.
“It is building time, My people; it is building time”
Fr. Andrew
About The Author
