We now come to the Book of Haggai this morning. The Lord has a message for His people who have returned from exile to rebuild the Temple. “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? (Haggai 1:2–4, ESV) The point behind the question is one of priorities.
For well over a decade, the rebuilding of this Temple had stopped. Setbacks and opposition had discouraged it. In Jewish life, the Temple was the center of everything, yet the center of everything had shifted to something else. Comforts, convenience, and prosperity had become the priority while an unfinished Temple stood in the shadowy background. Yet, for all the energy and hope put into these misplaced priorities, they were not better off. This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Look at what’s happening to you! You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! … Why? Because my house lies in ruins … while all of you are busy building your own fine houses. (Haggai 1:5-6, 9, NLT)
What is the center of the believer’s life? We can answer this in two regards. First, notice what the Apostle Paul said. For in him we live, and move, and have our being… (Acts 17:28, KJV) Second, notice what Jesus said. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33, KJV) Nothing can replace the true center of the Christian’s life, both in who it is (Christ) and in what we do (seeking first the kingdom of God). May Christ and His kingdom remain the center of our lives—for that’s the priority!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Haggai 1-2.