Getting the House in Order #2

 

Read Haggai 2

Background: Haggai continues to receive and repeat God's message to the Israelites in Jerusalem who had returned after the exile.  He first tells them to look around at the temple site.  For those who had been alive for the original temple, it was a sad state by comparison. But God could see what it one day would be. He would use them to rebuild it and get it back into operation. Though they would never see it as beautiful and grand as it had been before, some day it would be even grander, more beautiful, and more purposeful than ever.  Under Herod, using tax monies, it would be expanded and highly decorated, advertised as one of the world's "must see" places.  Even beyond that, God could one day the temple being a draw for all peoples to "come and see" Him and the place where true peace rests.  Secondly, God tells them to take a look around and see that NOT working on the temple had gotten them nowhere.  Why They were being self-focused and trying by their own strength to rebuild their lives.  He says "Now watch and see. Now that you start focusing on rebuilding, this will be the turning point. You will start seeing successful harvests, plentiful provision, and fulfilling lives.  That's what happens when you get your house in order.

Key Verses: 20 The word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the Lord, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord of hosts.”

Thoughts: This concluding paragraph is not just a promise to Zerubbabel. It is for the people as well. When the temple and Jerusalem fell, the kings were all captured and killed and the heir to the throne wiped out.  God now brings Zerubbabel into the line of David.  He is the last listed Old Testament name in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 2. This was a promise to Israel that the line of the promised Messiah had been restored.  There was hope for their future.