“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” Haggai 1:4
Haggai was a prophet of God. This event took place around 520 BC in Judah.
The Israelites were preoccupied with their own interests and the temple of God stood in ruins.
This made God angry. He created a long drought and the people suffered.
God stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest and the remnant living in Judah. God told them to rebuild the temple and He would be with them.
God gave the Israelites supernatural strength to take on this task.
God told the Israelites He would shake the earth and fill His house with glory.
God reminded the Israelites all the gold and treasures of the world belong to Him and He dispenses according to His pleasure.
God said the glory in the new temple would be greater than the former temple and He would grant His peace to those who worship Him in the new temple.
Haggai told the Israelites they were a defiled people and their hands were unclean. And, this is why their labors produced very little in the past.
God was delighted with the repentant attitude and efforts of the Israelites and promised to bless the people with the completion of the foundation of the temple.
How can you and I find the values of God in this story?
Recognize God is angry over the despicable conditions in the Body of Christ.
Do not neglect God! Seek out His priorities for your life. Listen for the voice of God!
Pray for Jesus to cover you with His blood and restore you to God.
Ask God for His strength and the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work He has assigned to you.
God controls all the treasures in the world. You and I have to operate with the values of Christ and submit to His authority. This will bring increase and the favor of God.
God is at work to rebuild the glory of His temple today. This has nothing to do with a building. It is a call to repentance.
We have to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness above all else.
Your body is the temple of the Living Christ. Are you honoring God with your thoughts, words, and actions?
The Israelites heard and feared the voice of God. They changed their priorities and God blessed them!
What are God’s priorities in your life?
Hal Hollister Ministry 