READ: Haggai 2:1-9 and Ezra 6
In
the month following the people’s return to the temple work, Haggai shows up
with another word from the Lord. He points out the obvious – that this temple
is nothing in comparison to the magnificent temple built by Solomon. But his
message is one of encouragement in the midst of this truth. Through Haggai the
Lord says, “Be strong! Work, for I am with you! I remember the covenant I made
with you. My Spirit remains in your midst! Do not fear!” God promises to meet
His people in this temple as He did in the last. And there is a future prophecy
within Haggai’s word. In light of the New Testament, the reader cannot help but
think of Christ’s eternal kingdom where the Lord and the Lamb will be the
temple in Jerusalem (see Rev 21:22).
Back
in Babylon, King Darius does his research and comes out in full support of the
Jews’ mission to rebuild the temple. Not only does he support them vocally, he
commands that they receive everything they need to reconstruct the temple,
including animals for daily sacrifice! Again we see a pagan ruler being
divinely used to accomplish God’s good purposes. We also see the immediate
blessing that comes with obedience. The people turned from their laziness and
God gave them favour. God’s faithfulness is evident here. No matter what mess
His people get themselves into, He is so quick to respond to their repentance
and acts of obedience.
By
the 6th year of Darius’ reign, the temple is finished and the people
joyfully dedicate the house of God with sacrifice and offering. The following
month all Jews who had returned from the exile and all who had chosen to
separate themselves from the people of the land to follow Yahweh gather
together to celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The writer
makes a point to declare the joyfulness of the people at this time.
JOURNALING AND PRAYER
1. Our Lord is such an encourager. He is
on our side, cheering us on as we follow Him. Through Haggai, He encouraged the
people in the best way saying, “My Spirit remains in your midst”. God was right
there with them. As believers of the New Covenant, we have the incredible
blessing of the Holy Spirit in us. He
is the deposit, guaranteeing what is to come (see 2 Cor 5:5). His residence in
our lives guarantees the eternal fellowship we will have with the Lord when He
comes to reign and we are given our resurrected bodies. How has the Holy Spirit
worked in your life to make you more like Christ? Thank Him for this. Ask the
Holy Spirit to fill you afresh today, to empower you for all God has for you.
2. Doing right brings true joy. When we
are walking in righteousness we do not have guilt. It feels wonderful to do
good, because God is good. When we obey Him and do what is right, we are acting
more like Him; there is greater unity in our relationship with Him. The people
experienced this when they celebrated the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened
Bread. They had spent four years obeying God’s call to rebuild the Temple, and
now they were finally able to practice the most celebrated festival,
remembering God’s deliverance out of Egypt. When have you experienced the true
joy of obedience and goodness? Are you walking in this freedom today? If not,
ask the Lord to help you do right today. Ask Him to help you respond to the
conviction of the Holy Spirit.
