The book of Haggai covers a time after the return of the remnant to Jerusalem. The temple had begun to be built, but after a long period of time it had not been completed. Why? Because the personal lives of the people had interfered! This is clear from the admonitions that come from the pen of the prophet in this short book.
Consider this famous reference at the beginning of the book:
“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).
The same problems exist in our time. It is not that people do not love the Lord, or have their hearts set fully to do evil. Often it is simply that living your life day to day gets in the way of serving God. Regardless, it is never acceptable to put your agenda before the Lord’s!
As Haggai related from Jehovah, “Consider your ways!” (5,7). What you want and need from life will not be fully realized unless and until you put God first!
