Keep pressing on
We finish our study in Haggai this week with a final look at chapter two where the Israelites have heard God’s word through the prophet Haggai; they felt convicted by Haggai’s prophecy; and they’ve taken up to rebuilding the temple. But the problems don’t end there.
For the Israelites there was a new problem at hand once they decided to rebuild the temple, and it’s not unlike a problem we go face today.
A LOOK BACKWARD (verse 1-3)
The second chapter begins a little over a month and the Israelites have re-commenced the rebuilding of the temple.While it looks like they’ve taken on God’s command and are dutifully attending to the temple, there’s another issue that arises out of their hearts… the issue of comparison.
“Is there anyone here who saw the Temple the way it used to be, all glorious? And what do you see now? Not much, right? So get to work, Zerubbabel!—God is speaking.” (Haggai 2:3-4a MSG)
The Israelites didn’t have much returning to Jerusalem; they didn’t have many resources or much money to restore the temple to its former glory. Yet that wasn’t what God has asked of them. He didn’t say they needed to rebuild the temple just as beautiful as it was during the peak of Israel’s fortune under the reign of King Solomon. God just commanded them to build. Yet, all the Israelites could compare their work to was the temple in its former glory. Looking backward helped no one in this situation… and it doesn’t help us either. Comparing situations, circumstance or even people to the past is a trap we get stuck in too often; it steals the joy of the present and even the hope of the future. People who live in the past never move forward, as it was with the Israelites.
A LOOK UPWARD (verse 4-5)
“Yes, get to work! For I am with you… I’m living and breathing among you right now. Don’t be timid. Don’t hold back.” (Haggai 2:4b-5 MSG)
How were the Israelites to continue working on the temple with joy in their hearts? All they needed to do was look up/look to God. God’s presence heals us and allows us to overcome any discouragement and past hurt. Looking to God means we’re no longer too caught up in looking back. God spoke through Haggai the phrase, “be strong” three times in verse 4. He wanted the Israelites to know that they just need to look to Him, know He was with them and be strong.
A LOOK FORWARD (verse 6-9)
After God chastises the Israelites, He ends with this promise:
“‘This Temple is going to end up far better than it started out, a glorious beginning but an even more glorious finish: a place in which I will hand out wholeness and holiness.” (Haggai 2:9 MSG)
There are two interpretations of this particular verse. Like in Hebrews 12:26-27, this verse could refer to God’s final judgement where the glory of the “temple” will be shining here on earth; God will be dwelling with His people. This verse could also be referring to the greater glory that could be found in the temple: Jesus Christ (John 2:14 and Luke 2:46). Either way, the Israelites didn’t need to question how glorious (or inglorious) the temple would be. God promised that a greater glory was coming, both in the person of Jesus and in the end of days where the temple will no longer be a physical place, but God Himself dwelling among His people (Revelations 2:22-24).
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for teaching me through the recount of Israel’s past hardships and tribulations. Thank You that Your presence is with us now as it was with the Israelites; I pray that I wouldn’t focus on the past, but that I would look to You, allowing me to look and move forward with hope. Convict me and teach me to place my hope in You.
In Jesus’ mighty name I pray,
Amen.