Haggai (July 15)

Haggai
Building Significance
(July 15)

Ref: Haggai 1:3-6 (NIV)
“Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:
‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses,
while this house remains a ruin?’
Now this is what the LORD Almighty says:
‘Give careful thought to your ways.
You have planted much, but have harvested little.
You eat, but never have enough.
You drink, but never have your fill.
You put on clothes, but are not warm.
You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.’”
What projects are you currently working on that have significance? [open discussion]

What makes these projects significant? Provisions, growth, service, discipline/obedience

The book of Haggai (as well as Zechariah, which we’ll be studying in the coming weeks)
gives us a chance to go “Back to the Future”.
Unlike the books we’ve recently studied, we know the EXACT time period of this book
(August 29, 520 B.C. – December 18, 520 B.C.).
There are 4 prophecies included here:

1. Delivered specifically to Zerubbabel (the governor) and Joshua (the priest of the Temple), this prophecy reveals how fruitlessness of labor is a signal that the Jews have drifted from God’s plan.
   “Fruitlessness” can also be a warning for us.
2. Delivered to the entire Jewish nation, this prophecy is really best described as an encouragement.
   As some began to compare what they had built with the original Temple, they became discouraged.
   God makes the following promise.
   
   Ref: Haggai 2:6-9 (NIV)
   “This is what the LORD Almighty says:
   'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth,
   the sea and the dry land.
   I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come,
   and I will fill this house with glory,'
   says the LORD Almighty.
   'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,'
   declares the LORD Almighty.
   'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,'
   says the LORD Almighty.
   'And in this place I will grant peace,'
   declares the LORD Almighty.”
   
   God is faithful to finish the work he sets us out to do.
   
   Ref:Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
   “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
   Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”
   
   
3. Delivered to the entire Jewish nation again, the third prophecy is another encouragement (and a bit of a clarification on the first prophecy).
   
   Ref: Haggai 2:19 (NIV)
   “Is there yet any seed left in the barn?
   Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit.
   From this day on I will bless you.”
   
   We cannot get discouraged if we don’t see instant results.
   If we haven’t completely worked the time of sowing, then we’re not yet ready for harvest.
4. The fourth prophecy is addressed to Zerubbabel again (as the leader of God’s people at the time).
   
   Ref: Haggai 2:21-22 (NIV)
   “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I will shake the heavens and the earth.
   I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.
   I will overthrow chariots and their drivers;
   horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.”
   
   Nothing is too big for God.
   He will “shake heaven and earth” to accomplish His purposes (and those purposes involve you).
   

The central theme and, certainly, the application for us is
that God has ordained us to accomplish certain missions for Him.
One of this class’s most important missions is our Strategic Mission Partnership with Sudan.
How many prayed this week for David and Karman and the work going on in North Africa?
How many have given something (anything) to support the upcoming vision trip (Aug.20-28)?
We have been called out by this text (just as the Jews were 2500 years ago).

Ref: Haggai 1:6 (NIV)
“You have planted much, but have harvested little.
You eat, but never have enough.
You drink, but never have your fill.
You put on clothes, but are not warm.
You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

How many are truly satisfied with the way life is shaping up right now?
Could it be that our lack of success (not just financial… money’s really a small part of all this!)
is really just a lack of success in acting on His orders?

What are His orders for your life? [ask for any testimonies/stories]

What are your own plans for your life?

How far apart are these?