To Do Lists

 O. T. #2267   "To Do Lists"

August 29, 2022

Summary of Haggai

LET IT GLOW

We often have a to-do list for the day or week. Those things we want to get done, we consider important go on the list, whether metally or written down. Our priorities are reflected on it. God wants to be be number one on it, yet we often relegate Him to a lesser number, just as the Jews had done at this time. We all have pressures, demands, expectations, and tasks which attack our schedule. Everyone wants something from us-family, friends, employer, church, school, clubs. And we wonder why we run our of energy as we rush through life.

The Jews had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and the Temple there after spending 70 years in captivity. The task had begun, but not completed. So God sent Haggai the prophet to bring them back to His purpose. God's house had symbolized His presence. 

LET IT GROW

Looking back through those 38 verses, we discovered Haggai's 4 messages.

1. First was the message of motivation. The people were told to consider their ways, some 4 times. It was liketheir wages earned were put into a bag with holes. Wealth was spent upon them. They left Jehovah out of their life completely. The Jewish leaders were told to repent and obey God's voice. 

Matthew 6:33 tells us, But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

2. The second message was one of consolation. As the people returned to the task, they needed encouragement and comfort. As they worked, God was with them. His glory was returning.

3. The third message was one of affirmation. The people built stone upon stone. Jesus is the cornerstone upon which our life is to be built. His Word lasts forever. The priests began reading the Law again.

4. The fourth message was a message of anticipation. There was coming a time when the Lord will reign upon His throne in Jerusalem. Some 500 years later the Messiah came to earth. Although the Jews rejected this Cornerstone, He still lives. There is coming a day when the Jews will acknowledge Jesus as Savior, Messiah, and Lord.

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commenarty]

John 15:16-17 says, Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.

What has God told you to do during this study? Are we going to be faithful to do it?

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus, that You are always with us.

May we follow Your Word and do Your will for Your glory.

Keep Him the head of our to do list today.

Where to Look for Answers

 O. T. #2266   "Where to Look for Answers"

August 26, 2022

Summary of Haggai

LET IT GLOW

Don't we always have questions about this and that? This generation is looking for a purposeful life. Will we share it and exemplify it in our life?

We can't leave Haggai without reading some practical lessons given by Wiersbe:

1. The work of God is begun, sustained, and encouraged by the Word of God. When God's servants proclaim God's Word in the power of the Spirit, things begin to happen. Read Ezra 6:14, where the elders of the Jews built and finished the Temple through the prophesying of Haggai and Zechariah. They did it according to the commandment of the God of Israel and the kings. Renewed preaching heralds a revival.
2. God's servants must work together to build God's Temple. 1 Corinthians 3:9 says, For we are laborers together with God. 

We need to get back to the basics of life-prayer, worship, studying the Bible, family time, reaching out to neighbors. Is your church preaching and teaching the Truth or is it watered down with the social issues? Is it standing on the promises of God or falling for the world?

LET IT GROW

     3. When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook. Vance Havner used to say, "Faith sees the

            invisible, chooses the imperishable, and does the impossible." 

       4. Putting God first is the guarantee of God's best blessing. Romans 14:12 and Matthew

            6:33 direct us. 

       5. Apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, our labors are in vain. God works and

           shows His power through the weak things. (1 Cor. 1:26-31) He works in and through

            us to show His power and good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13)

The Jews were blessed whenever they followed God's instructions, worshiped only Him, and loved others. Are we doing this, too?

LET IT GO

Are we looking for God's will in His Word?

Is the Holy Spirit guiding us in our work?

Are we living by faith?

Do we love God and others before our self?

You Are Chosen

O. T. #2265  "You Are Chosen"

August 25, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Today we are finishing up with the third message by Haggai. It had been four months since God gave him the first message to give the priests. The foundation of the Temple was laid and God told them to consider (think carefully). Apparently, the Jews had repented of their disobedience. It was harvest time and God was giving His people a promise-From this day onward I will bless you. (verse 19)

Ezra 5:2 tells us that Zerubbabel and Jeshua responded by starting again to rebuild the Temple of God in Jerusalem. And the prophet helped them, too. 

Are our church leaders (spiritual guides) obeying God? Are they seeking God's will for the church body? Are the teachers teaching His Word as Truth?

LET IT GROW

The fourth and last message which god gave to Haggai was for Governor Zerubbabel concerning the Millennial Kingdom:

• God was about to shake the heavens and the earth.
• He will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. 
• He will overturn their chariots and riders. 
• The horses will fall and their riders will kill each other.
• When this happens, God will honor Zerubbabel, His servant. He will be like a signet rignet His finger, for God chose him.
• The LORD of Heaven's Armies had spoken! (NLT)

Ultimately, this will happen during the Battle of Armageddon. The signet ring was used by its owner to sign letters and official documents. Zerubbabel's purpose was to bear the mark of honor and authority, carrying out God's will and representing Him in all that he did. Remember, he was the grandson of King Jehoiachin of Judah, carrying on the Davidic lineage of kings. the Messiah would come through Zerubbabel's line. What a privilege!

What confidence this must have given Zerubbabel during the difficult times while rebuilding the Temple. We should have that same confidence as a child of God.

John 15:16 tells us, Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. 

This should show us how valuable we are in God's eyes and motivate us to work for Him. When we feel down, remember that God has chosen us. Doing God's work and worship should be a higher priority than our comforts. He promises us strength and guidance when we give God first place in our lives.

LET IT GO

Thank You Father, for choosing us to be Your child.

Help us make Your will priority in our life today.

To You be glory and honor and praise.

Looking Within

O. T. #2264  "Looking Within"

August 24, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

In verses 10-19, Haggai went to the priests, who were authorities on this subject, and asked them 2 simple questions for the benefit of the people present:

1. holiness
2. defilement
3. then application.

First of all, when an animal was presented on the altar as a sacrifice, the meat was considered holy; it belonged to the Lord and was set apart to be used only as He instructed. by Jewish law, the priests and their families were permitted to eat portions of some of the sacrifices, but they had to be careful how and where they ate it, plus what they did with the leftovers. (Lev. 6:8-7:38)

Does the holy, set apart garment touching the consecrated meat make the food holy? No. Holiness can't be transmitted. In other words, holiness can't be caught. Disobedience by God's people renders sacrifices unacceptable. (verse 14) It was a matter of the heart. the Jews who were sent to Jerusalem to rebuild the city, the Temple, and its economy got sidetracked. They focused more on their own homes than on the rebuilding of the Temple.

Obedience is necessary for worship to be accepted. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Because the people shifted their focus and obedience, then God withheld His blessings of crops. (verses 16-17) Since the Jews did not measure up to God's standards, He got their attention by sending natural disasters to get their attention-no food.

Lately, droughts and floods got the attention of people. At least they did mine. Is God trying to get your attention?

LET IT GROW

The second question concerns defilement. If a person touched a dead body and became unclean, could that person touch another and make them unclean? Yes. Diseases can be caught by the healthy. Thus, people working on the Temple could not impart holiness to it, but they could defile it by their sins. The work was to be done from their hearts, pure and devoted to God. God wanted the hearts of His people turned back to Him. So Haggai was calling them to repentance. 

How is our heart condition? Are we keeping our tithe for our projects or are we faithful to give it back to God? How is our service? Are we going through the motions or are we serving God with a loving heart?

Sin hinders the work of God and robs us of the blessings of God. So we need to look up and look within. Repent and obey.

[Resources: The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, Liberty Bible Commentary, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary]

If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chron. 7:14)

LET IT GO 

Jesus, You can change hearts and situations.

Have mercy on us sinners.

Please forgive us for allowing abortions, homosexuality, and adultery to be normal.

Where is the Glory of God?

 O. T. #2263

August 23, 2022  "Where is the Glory of God?"

Haggai 2-Part 4

LET IT GLOW

Among the 50,000 Jews who had returned to rebuild Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, were those who had actually seen the splendorous Temple that King Solomon had built. (It was by God's directions and provisions David had prepared.) At this time they had not yet finished the second Temple.

In chapter 2, God was encouraging those Jews to get back to work. Three times God mentions the glory, which means splendor, honor, in the Hebrew language. God told the people that the glory of His Devine presence would be greater in the new Temple than the old one. (verses 3, 7, 9)

Isn't that what we desire in our house of worship? If God is not there, then it is for naught. If we are not singing, reading, listening to sermons that are for the honor and glory of God, then we might as well not go. 

LET IT GROW

MacArthur tells us the various Temple of the Bible built there in Jerusalem on the same sight:

• Solomon's Temple-destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar
• Zerubbabel's Temple -desecrated by Antiochus Epiphanes
• The Present Temple-within the heart of believers in Jesus Christ during the Church Age
• the Temple of Revelation 11-constructed during the Tribulation by the Antichrist
• Ezekiel's (Millennial) Temple-built by the Messiah during His 1,000 year reign
• the Eternal Temple of His Presence-in the Eternal Kingdom of God, which will be the greatest Temple of all, a spiritual temple where The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple. 

None of the splendorous Temples can compare with the one which will be built during the Millennial reign of Christ on earth. He will rule as the Prince of Peace upon the throne of David in Jerusalem. What a day that will be!

Is Christ reigning in your temple, heart of a believer in Jesus Christ? In order for that to be, He must be your Savior and King and Lord.

LET IT GO

Bless the Lord, oh my soul, worship His holy name.

Sing like never before; worship His holy name.

Ironing Out The Details

O. T. #2262 "Ironing Out The Details"

August 22, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Hang onto your hat folks, for this gets good. Look at verses 6-9. The word shake is repeated twice, and again in verse 21. Not only did God promise to have His Spirit remain with the Jews at that time, He also told them to not be afraid. Is God shaking up your little world?

Shake means undulate (to form or move in waves) as the earth, the sky, a field of grain; quake; make tremble.

What does God, the LORD of Heaven's Armies, say He is going to shake up?

• the heavens, earth, oceans, and dry land-That pretty well covers all the physical things.
• all nations-They will bring treasures to this Temple. 

I like how Tony Evans explains this:

Shaking refers to God's intentional interruption of the natural order of things. He intended to shake things up to turn things around so that glory would come to His house. (verse 7) In chapter 1, God shook things up so that Israel would put Him first. and often once we learn to do that, He'll shake things up "once more" to remind us that we are in an unshakeable kingdom. 

God puts people in uncomfortable situations just before He does something that has never been done before. There is a worldwide shake-up taking place now. The tragedy is that while we see the things going on, we don't make a spiritual connection-we don't realize that God is at work to take us to another place. 

On what are our eyes focused, dear one? Are we still looking for another world, kingdom, heaven? Or are be bogged down with the worries of this world? 

LET IT GROW

Often, I iron my clothes before going to church services. I want to look nice. The crooked and wrinkled get straightened out. Heat and steam are applied to accomplish the desired result. Similarly, God will apply heat to our situation just long enough to straighten our thinking. He wants to look good in us when we represent Him. (Tony Evans)

Will we trust God to iron out the details for us?

LET IT GO 

 Straighten out our attitudes, hearts, wills, so they are in accordance with Yours, God.

When You shake up our little world, may we turn to You for directions.

We can trust that You are up to something, so help us to let go of what is holding us down or back. 

Getting Back to Work

 O.T. #2261  "Getting Back to Work"

August 19, 2022

Haggai 2-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

God was telling the leaders and the working people in Israel to be strong, get back to work on the Temple, return to Him, turn from their evil ways and stop practicing them. Also, He reassured them that He would be with them, His Spirit remains among them, and to not be afraid. In other words, God was watching over them with His protection and provision. He is so faithful to keep His word. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of this. 

In verses 6-9, the prophet combines the first and second coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Do we stop to think that God owns everything, for He created it all? He is just allowing us to use it for a time. Even silver and gold are His. (verse 8)

God wants and is waiting to fill the new Temple with His glory. He wants to give peace. (verse 9)  God had the gold and silver needed; what He needed was willing hands. He choses to do His work through people as God provides the resources needed.

History tells us that Solomon's Temple was leveled by the Babylonians and items stollen. The new Temple these people built here was leveled and renovated by Herod in his desire to court Jewish favor. Herod's temple was destroyed by the Roman invasion of 70 A.D. Today, the Wailing Wall of the Temple is all that remains. Over the site of the Holy of Holies sits the golden dome of Islam. One day that will come down and replaced when Jesus returns to earth to reign as King of kings.

Will we work til Jesus comes? Will we keep the faith-stand by faith, walk by faith, live by faith?

LET IT GROW

In verses 12-13, God is questioning the priests. From this we deduct that holiness does not rub off on other, but contamination will. Activities in the Temple do not clean up their sin, only repentance and obedience could do that. Who are we associating with today? Are they sinful people who do not care for the Word of God nor holy living? What about our family?

It's like a child eating spaghetti, soon their face, hands, and clothes become red. sin and selfish attitudes produce the same result-they stain everything they touch. Even good deeds done for God can be tainted by sin. (Life Application Study Bible)

Only the blood of Jesus Christ can cleanse our sins by faith and repentance. The Law cannot do that. We cannot measure up to God's standards. That is why Jesus came to provide The Way to God.

LET IT GO

What do we need to let go of so we can be uncontaminated with sin?

Thank You Jesus for providing our salvation.

How wonderful You are to intercede for us to Holy Father God!

Be with our grandchildren and children as they return to school. Protect them from the sinful ways of the world.

To You be the glory forever and ever.

Doing Great Things

O. T. #2260 "Doing Great Things"

August 18, 2022

Haggai 2

LET IT GLOW

don't we older folks have a tendency to look back at the "Good Ole' Days" instead of the present or the future?  It seems to be a common thing in churches, too. It sticks in our mind when things were going good back then. Do we not realize that it could be going good today, also? God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Well, it's one thing to get a work started, but another thing to keep it going. It took 23 days for the  materials to be gathered, preparing the site, and get the workers working. (1:15)

In chapter 2, Haggai delivered his second message. Again, God told the prophet to speak to Governor Zerubbabel, High Priest Joshua, and the people. They were to look up, look within, and look ahead.  The problem was the older men were looking back. They had seen the exquisite Temple built by Solomon before it was destroyed. What a contrast it was with the construction site that lay before them. Haggai rejoiced that the work had begun again instead of weeping over the past. What was significant to that date was it was the during the Feast of Tabernacles when King Solomon dedicated the original Temple. (1 Kings 8:2)

According to Liberty Bible Commentary, there were 5 glories present in Solomon's Temple which were lacked in Zerubbabel's Temple:

1. the Ark of the Covenant
2. the holy fire
3. the shekinah glory
4. the spirit of prophecy
5. the Urim and Thummim.

Even though it was all lacking, that was no reason for discouragement or stopping the new work. The new Temple was still God's house to be built according to His plan and for His glory. That meant they had to rely more on their God.

LET IT GROW

Instead of looking back, the Jews needed to look up and they would find:

• Encouragement in God's presence with them; Since it was God's work, they could rely on Him to help them finish the Temple. Haggai told the people (as a message from God) to "Be strong and work for God is with them." 
• Fear not. God had faithfully kept His covenant with them as with Moses. Be assured that God was with Israel.

We have a tendency to look at the externals instead of focusing on the faithfulness of God. that was the way with Israel. People have not changed down through the centuries. but that is where faith kicks in. When we know God is leading us in a direction, then we can trust Him to provide along the way, so His will and plan is accomplished.

What a blessing it is to watch God work on our behalf. We must be careful to give Him the glory for the things He has done.

 LET IT GO

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Let the earth hear His voice.

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD! Let the people rejoice.

Oh, come to the Father through Jesus the Son and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!

What a Revival!

O. T. 2259"What a Revival!"

August 17, 2022

Haggai 1-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

God knew the remnant of His people who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple had not completed the task. He had used a drought to return them to the task, yet it did not happen. Since, God was not first place in their lives, their work was unfruitful and unproductive. Their problem was lack of faith and obedience. Their focus had turn to self, away from to their God. They gave an excuse, plain and simple.

Billy Sunday, a great preacher, called an excuse "the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie."

Benjamin Franklin wrote, "I never knew a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else."

So God sent the first message through Haggai. Just 23 days after hearing his message the people began rebuilding the Temple. The sermon was put into action. What a response. 

When we hear a stirring message, we should put it into action.

LET IT GROW

How did the people respond?

• The leaders obeyed the voice of the LORD their God. (verse 12)
• The people did fear before the LORD. 
• The hearts of the governor, high priest, and the people were stirred when they heard the prophet's message. (verse 14)
• They had the reassurance that God was with them. (verse 13)

They obeyed the voice of the LORD.

Fear means to revere; reverence; fearful.

Stirred means opening their eyes; to wake up; raise up; lift up.

It took some time to gather the new materials, prepare the building site for further construction, and get the skilled workers in their place. That is why it took 23 days, or 3 weeks, to get going on the Temple project. God delights in the obedience of His people. What a revival!

Is there something that you have left undone, which was God's will to complete? Are we buying the best for us and giving the Lord whatever is left over?  How does the house where you worship look? Is it in need of repairs? The material is a symbol of our spiritual condition. 

LET IT GO

Develop our trust and obedience toward You, our Heavenly Father.

Use what we have to further Your kingdom.

Open our eyes to see the needs around us.

When Things Aren't Going So Well

O. T. #2258  "When Things Aren't Going So Well"

August 16, 2022

Haggai 1-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

In verses 1-15, we read of the first message Haggai had from God to the Jews. It was an in-between time, about 10 years after the rebuilding work on the Temple had ceased. They were at a low spiritually and the prophet was commissioned to rebuke the Jews for their indifference. God told His people twice to consider their ways. (verses 5,7) They were simply going through the motions of life. So God commissioned them with 3 instructions:

1. The command to repent (verse 7)
2. To gather materials (verse 8)
3. The explanation of the lack of blessing (verses 9-11).

Israel had lost the focus of their purpose of returning to Jerusalem in the first place-rebuild the Temple. the Temple was where God's presence dwelt. Obedience to Jehovah was to have priority in their life, which was not. So Gpod told the Jews to go up to the mountains and bring down the wood in order to build His house. Then, God would take pleasure in it and be glorified. When God leads, we obey, He provides, then He is glorified. Why would God take pleasure in it? Because His people would then have a heart right with Him.

Is there something lacking in our walk of faith?

LET IT GROW

Just last month, our area was in a terrible drought. The grasslands had turned yellow. The cattle would soon have to be fed hay that was saved for the winter feed. Farmers in Texas were selling off their cattle. (Their drought had started a month earlier than ours.) So what? That meant beef on the table would become very expensive for the city dwellers. Water would become scarce for all animals, including chickens. We were headed for hard time, folks. I kept praying for God's mercy. Finally, He did. Now I look out over the fields and hills and see greenery. May we not forget God's faithfulness and provisions like the Jews had. Without His sending rain and sunshine, our food dries up, just as my blackberries did.

Why were the Jews unable to prosper in the land? Verse 9 tells us God's judgment was upon them because His house lay in waste. What they did came to nought-not blessed by God. Their priorities were all wrong. Instead of tending to God's business, they were tending to their own. To put it simply, the Jews were oblivious to the sad condition of God's house. 

Therefore, God had to get the Jew's attention, wake them up. There was no dew nor rain, but a drought. It affected the crops and food for man and cattle. Once again, man and animals suffered due to man's sin.

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

I like how Tony Evans put it: Sometimes Christians call the negative circumstances in their lives "bad luck," but don't disconnect God from your mess. If there is calamity in your world, it didn't happen because of impersonal forces operating on the universe. God called for it. When you return to God, and invite Him to operate in your midst, it won't stress you out when trials come. You'll know this truth first hand: God is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20)

Are things going bad? In other words, is there something we are to repent of in our life? Have Bible study and prayer taken a backseat in our busy world? Have we missed more worship services than attended lately?

LET IT GO!

Consider Your Ways

O. T. #2257   "Consider Your Ways"

August 15, 2022

Haggai 1

LET IT GLOW

Isn't it amazing that such a holy and almighty God speaks to people? Also, God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, full of truth, and full of grace, mercy, and peace. In the Old Testament, He spoke to the people through the prophets; today, we have His Word and Holy Spirit.

The Israelites had been back home for about 16 years, yet they had not finished building the Temple. Discouragement and conflict set in, so maybe they focused on other things, like rebuilding their houses and business. 

In verse 1, the word of the LORD came to Haggai, then he spoke to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and to Joshua, the high priest. What did God in verse 2? Their inactivity was excused in their defense of disobedience, apathy, and selfishness. The Jews had built roofed houses with paneling on the walls and ceilings with fine woods. The problem was not the fine houses, but the partially restored Temple, which was only minimal worship inside. Besides, God did not dwell there. Their priorities were out of order, wouldn't you say? the Jews had a heart problem, so god got to the heart of the problem.

It is not time that the LORD's house should be built. 

When God speaks, that is the time to obey. Sometimes He prepares us for what is ahead and what is His will. (God knows it takes a while for me to get ready.)

What is ouy priority? Is serving and worshiping God? Or is it buying those toys out there? Are we focused on kingdom work or our work? Is your wealth spent on our good pleasure more that kingdom work?

LET IT GROW

Consider your ways. (1:5,7; 2:15, 18)

In the Hebrew, consider means use feelings, will, intellect, understanding.

God pleas for the people to take notice of what they were doing, compare it with what they should be doing, and amend their ways accordingly. (Falwell)

What were the ways of the Jews?

• They had sown bountiful crops but reaped sparingly.
• They drink but are not satisfied.
• They had clothing which was inadequate.
• They earned money but could never get ahead.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

The blessings of God depends upon our obedience to God. In other words, no Temple; no blessings. The Lord was telling the Jews that when the Temple went up, His blessing come down. Do you think God wanted to dwell in His Temple with His people?

Is there something we have not completed for the Lord? I know what mine is, do you?

LET IT GO

Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. 

A Wake-Up Call is Coming

 O. T. #2256  "A Wake-Up Call is Coming"

August 12, 2022

Introduction to Haggai

Most motels offer a service of a wake-up call in the morning. I'm not sure why, since alarm clocks are provided. Sometimes we need it so we actually get out of bed and not linger in a sleepy state. Well, the Jews need a wake-up call, so God sent it by way of a prophet named Haggai. I hope you join me for some encouragment found here, too.

Background

This Minor Prophet Haggai had little recorded about his parents or tribal ancestry, nor his occupation. Some commentaries say that Haggai the prophet was born in Judah before 586 BC, and was one of a small company who had seen the former Temple in its glory. If that were so, then he would have been over 70 years of age when writing his prophecy. He was the first to prophesy in the new Israel.

What happened in the world was this-the Medes and Persians conquered the Babylonian Empire. Cyrus the Great reigned in the outlying land whil Darius reigned in what was Babylon (at least I think that is how it was). Cyrus made a decree that allowed the Jews could return to the place Jerusalem was located and rebuild the Temple. Haggai mentions King Darius in verse 1. 

Zerubbabel led the first group of Jews, about 50,000 of them, and Joshua the high priest. Nehemiah told us the details about this. Opposition resulted in the work abandoned for about 10-16 years. So God used Haggai to prophesy 4 messages to the Jews, to encourage them to get back to work. His ministry only lasted a short 4 months. His motivation was sufficient, and the people started again. 

Also, their spiritual priorities brought them back to worship God and keep the feasts required. the Temple represented God's dwelling place and His presence with His chosen people. God's glory had departed Jerusalem when the Temple was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.

This leads to the Millennium reign of the Messiah Jesus Christ when He returns to earth to rule as King of kings. There will be national peace and blessings at that time.

[Resource: The MacArthur Bible Commentary]

I hope you will join us as we read what God had to say to the Jews by Haggai and to us today. He sends a wake-up call and a shake-up call. Don't we need it today, dear friend?