This post is Day 16 in a series of studies about “Haggai”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Haggai – Day 16

The Jewish people had been exiled in Babylon. They had returned with enthusiasm and each focused on their own homes and livelihoods. They had planted crops and prepared for the future, and more or less forgotten the God who had been instrumental in helping them return to their home land.

Haggai 2:2-3

Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them:- “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?”

The Thought

We can only imagine what sort of state the temple was in, but it is clear that God thought it looked like a ruin. It had been totally neglected, during the 70 years that the Jewish people had been exiled in Babylon. They had returned with enthusiasm and each focused on their own homes and livelihoods. They had planted crops and prepared for the future, and more or less forgotten the God who had been instrumental in helping them return to their home land, but God had got their attention by not blessing their harvests. He was letting them know that they had all taken care of themselves and ignored His house!

Of course they had good reasons for that. They had their own lives to rebuild, they had to learn afresh how to live in freedom instead of under the oppression of the Babylonians. But all through their history, the Jewish people had been taught to put God first. It was a regular lesson they often had to re-learn. It is one that we as His people on earth today still have to re-learn from time to time.

Action

Think today about some of the huge old cathedrals or churches you have visited. What is your attitude to them? Do you think of them as monuments to a past age? Are you blessed by the thousands who have worshipped there during the centuries, or do you criticise those people for their old fashioned religion? Are they a waste of money? What do you think God might be saying?

Praise God that He doesn’t think like we do, and thank Him for the variety of buildings He uses today.

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