Haggai: First Things First
Haggai challenges us to consider what we value most. As Taylor says, “Preoccupation with such concerns (as food, clothing, shelter, etc.) can lead to a type of personal decision making that focuses first on meeting temporal human needs and offers God only what is left over after essential matters of personal security and comfort have first been decided.” This is the condition Haggai finds the Israelites in, and the irony of it is their neglect of the LORD is exactly what has led to their lack of security, clothing, shelter, etc. (1:9-11). Since we are a people created to depend on the LORD and a people in covenant with him, we cannot expect true prosperity while neglecting him. Communion with God is the principal blessing of life. There is nothing better. Prioritize other things over it, and they’ll kill you. God is worthy of worship; his very purpose in having them build the temple is that he may be glorified (1:8). Where this is neglected, judgment follows.
After 16 years of disobedience, we see in this passage God’s plan to bless his now obedient people despite the past, with present fruit, and with future restoration. Who is the truly obedient builder that God blesses? That’s what we’ll look at in this sermon.
Resources:
The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Thomas McComiskey
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Haggai has called God’s people to build God’s house. The people obey God’s Word and get busy building. Twenty-one days into the project the people are incredibly discouraged by the progress. God empowers the discouraged builders through his current presence and his future promise.
Resources:
Haggai 2:1-9
The Minor Prophets by Alec Motyer
NIV Life Application Commentary by Bode
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Haggai began with a command to build God’s house; here we see that in order to actually follow through in obedience to what we must do, God empowers us in our weakness.
Resources:
The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Thomas McComiskey
Haggai, Malachi (New American Commentary), Richard Taylor
The Inspiration and Authority of the Bible, B.B. Warfield
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
With the complexity of life in the modern world, it makes sense to want to declutter. To do it well, to keep “first things first”, you must know what’s expendable, and what’s most important. What should you give your time to? In this first section of Haggai, we work towards an answer.
Resources:
The Minor Prophets: An Exegetical and Expository Commentary, Thomas McComiskey
Haggai, Malachi (New American Commentary), Richard Taylor
The Evolution of Simplicity, David Brooks
Podcast: Play in new window | Download