1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD's house should be built.
3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
13 Then spake Haggai the LORD's messenger in the LORD's message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.
14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
The Book of Haggai, nestled within the Minor Prophets, carries a significant message despite its brevity. The first chapter, in particular, is instrumental in introducing the central themes of God's sovereignty, human obedience, and the consequences of neglecting God's commands. This essay will delve into the details of these themes, their implications, and the meaning they bring to the reader.
To fully comprehend the depth of Haggai's message, it's necessary to understand its historical context. The first verse of Haggai 1 sets the stage, pinpointing the prophecy to the second year of Darius the king. This timeframe corresponds to a period of Jewish history when the exiles had returned from Babylon but were facing immense difficulties in rebuilding their nation. Specifically, the rebuilding of the holy temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of God's presence among His people, had been halted due to opposition and the people's indifference.
The central theme of Haggai 1 is God's call to His people to rebuild the temple. The prophet Haggai is God's mouthpiece, delivering a stern message to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest. God's words are clear: "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?" (Haggai 1:4). The people had been prioritizing their comfort and prosperity, building their homes while neglecting the house of the Lord. This was not just a matter of misplaced priorities, but a spiritual issue. The temple represented God's dwelling place among His people, and its desolate state reflected the people's spiritual condition and their relationship with God.
God, through Haggai, pointed out the consequences the people had been facing due to their neglect of His house. Despite their hard work, they were facing shortages and scarcities. "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes" (Haggai 1:6). God declared that He had called for a drought because of their disobedience. This was a wake-up call for the people, making them realize that their efforts were in vain without God's blessing.
The people's response to Haggai's prophecy is noteworthy. They obeyed the voice of the Lord and began to work on the temple. This obedience resulted in a promise from God: "I am with you, saith the LORD" (Haggai 1:13). This reassurance of God's presence was the ultimate reward for their obedience. It reestablished the covenant between God and His people.
The Book of Haggai, and particularly its first chapter, is not just a historical narrative. It holds significant lessons for contemporary readers. The call to prioritize God's work, the consequences of neglecting it, and the blessings of obedience are timeless principles applicable to all believers. It reminds us that God examines our hearts and our priorities. When we put Him first, He promises His presence and blessing. But if we neglect Him, we may find ourselves laboring in vain, just like the people of Judah.
In conclusion, the first chapter of the Book of Haggai presents a potent message about God's sovereignty, human obedience, and the consequences of neglecting God's commands. It underscores the importance of putting God first in our lives and the futility of pursuing worldly prosperity at the expense of our relationship with God. For the contemporary reader, it serves as a reminder that God's presence and blessing are contingent upon our obedience and prioritization of His work. Thus, Haggai 1 is a timeless lesson in spiritual priorities, obedience, and the blessings that come with aligning our lives with God's will.
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