“In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: “This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built’”’” (Haggai 1:1-2).
Consider this people who determined to place their own concerns above the desires of God. We look askance at their unwillingness to orient their priorities appropriately. But, are we guilty of the same? God wants us to do His work today, just as he wanted Judah to be about His business during the days of the prophet Haggai. And, so many of us can be guilty of the same attitude expressed in our text. “The time has not come…”
The time has not come to emphasize prayer above entertainment. The time has not come to dedicate ourselves to evangelism over selfish interests. Perhaps later we will choose assembly and worship above work. We juggle in our minds the needs of the congregation, (our brethren), with our own goals and desires — and rationalize our way to a neglect of God.
“Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!
“You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages,
Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (1:5-6)
In our text, the Lord says twice, “Consider your ways!” (vs. 4,7). The phrase is a call for Judah to repent. The idea of repentance requires a consideration of actions.
This was true of the Jews on Pentecost. Peter told them, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). The consideration required not only a recognition of sins committed, but also a consideration of what God required to rectify that sin. “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Finally, that consideration required a “follow through”, as fruit that is meet for repentance was brought forth. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41).
Parallel that with our text in Haggai 1. The Jews were not prospering despite their best efforts. Their efforts to take care of themselves were unsuccessful because they were neglecting God. Because of this, God said, “‘You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit.’” (1:9-10).
Not only did they need to recognize their sin, but they needed to understand what God required for them to rectify the situation, and received His blessings. “‘Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,’ says the Lord” (1:8).
Did they do it? Did they carefully consider what was needed, and bring forth works suitable for true repentance? The text indicates that they did! “So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius” (1:14-15).
Finally, we see the promise of God’s blessing as the people dedicated themselves to His service. Again the words are so appropriate. God said, “Consider now from this day forward… But from this day I will bless you.” (2:18,19).
There is much for us to learn from Judah in the days of Haggai. We need to consider our ways, to see if we are guilty of neglecting our responsibilities to God. If we are guilty of apathy, lethargy, lukewarmness — we need to consider what is needed to rectify our sin, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:10-11).
If we will do this, we are promised God’s blessings. Physically, like Judah (cf. Matthew 6:33). But more importantly, the spiritual blessings that come in Christ Jesus. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). May each of us do as the Jews who heard the word of the Lord through Haggai, “Consider your ways!” If we do, we will be blessed by Him, “From this day forward.”
