Bible Study - Special (1) - First Things First - Haggai 1-13 - July 16, 2017

Bible Study – Special (1) – First Things First – July 16, 2017

This is a special focus lesson.

Our scripture is Haggai 1:2-13.

Always put GOD first.

When we prosper, it is often difficult for us to see the need for us to depend upon the LORD. Those who know HIM must always keep HIM in the forefront of their lives.

GOD reveals the heart of the people through the mouth of HIS Prophet Haggai.

The Jews had returned to Judea after being exiled to Babylon for about 70 years. The Persian leader Cyrus the Great captured Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem to restore the temple. During the restoration of the temple they encountered opposition.

Darius became King of Persia and ended the opposition which allowed the Jews to continue their restoration effort to the temple. However, their resolve to restore the temple waned. Why?

GOD called the Prophet Haggai to HIS service to speak HIS words to the Jews. GOD through Haggai challenged the people to move from being self-centered to GOD-centered. The temple in Jerusalem was a visible symbol of GOD’S presence among HIS chosen, as well as, too many others but the temple was in shambles. This reflected the attitude of the Jews toward GOD.

This attitude reflects a vital fact in the lives of some Christians. As recorded in GOD’S Word in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: (NKJV)

19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Whereas the physical temple represented the presence of GOD before JESUS’ passion, now, all who have been born-again, through faith in JESUS, represent the presence of GOD to others. Christians bear a responsibility to those with whom they encounter in their lives. Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.

GOD spoke through the Prophet Haggai. Today, GOD speaks through the indwelling Holy Spirit through pastors, teachers, evangelists and the list goes on. Often, you will hear a common theme being preached among those who preach GOD’S Word.

Our focus scripture begins with the second year of the rule of King Darius. 

Let’s explore!

Let’s read Haggai 1:1-8:

1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:

2 "The Lord of Hosts says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt."

GOD refers to the Jews as “these people” and not HIS people. The Jews were doing their own thing and GOD was not an integral part of their lives. GOD’S love for HIS chosen compelled HIM to get HIS chosen’s attention and give them an opportunity to repent and refocus their lives according to HIS plan and purpose.

This is so true in our lives today. It is easy for us, as Christians, to lose focus and get caught up in doing our own activity and put GOD on the back shelf of our lives. When we do, GOD has to get our attention. All of HIS children are precious to HIM and HE seeks for each of us to continue building our relationship with HIM, obediently follow HIM and fellowship with HIM on a daily basis.

3 The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet:

GOD sent HIS Word through the Prophet Haggai. Today, GOD sends HIS word through the indwelling Holy Spirit and through many different ways to get our attention – preachers, teachers, nature, circumstances and the list goes on.

Now, for GOD’S message to the people through the Prophet Haggai --  

4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?"

GOD put HIS finger on a very vital point for the Jews to ponder --

5 Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: "Think carefully about your ways:

6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner [puts his] wages into a bag with a hole in it."

7 The Lord of Hosts says this: "Think carefully about your ways.

GOD challenges the Jews to ponder HIS message to them. Are they truly happy and satisfied with the bounty GOD has provided? Or is there something missing? They had plenty but are they satisfied or is something missing? They have plenty of physical food so why are they not satisfied. What was missing?

GOD was prompting them to come to the obvious conclusion that the missing ingredient in their lives was Spiritual. They had gotten caught up in their bounty and neglected their relationship with GOD.

This is easy for all of us to do. We get caught up in doing our own thing and neglect what GOD would have us to focus upon.

Through the Prophet Haggai, GOD has a plan to help the Jews to refocus their attention on that which was vital to help them rekindle their Spiritual lives.  

8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house. Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified," says the Lord.

The temple represented the presence of GOD to the Jews and others who knew that they worshipped Yahweh.

We, as Christians, have to go to the mountain, so-to-speak, to rekindle our relationship with our LORD when we have grown Spiritually cold. GOD’S desire is for all of HIS children to come and drink the living water to quench our Spiritual thirst and to rekindle the Spiritual fire that once burned within our hearts. We must take the action GOD places within our hearts.

The need for Spiritual revitalization happens in many of our lives as we journey through life. When we do, the key is that we take action. Confess it to the LORD and ask HIM to reveal to us what we need to do to rekindle our zeal to obediently serve HIM.

The Prophet continued to deliver GOD’S message ---

Let’s read Haggai 1:9-11:

9 "You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought [the harvest] to your house, I ruined it. Why?" [This is] the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. "Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.

Setting priorities is important but whose priorities?

The Jews were looking out for themselves first. They brought in much which turned out not to be much because it ruined.

When the Israelites were in the wilderness, GOD instructed them to harvest the amount of manna they needed to get them through that day and double the amount to get them through the Sabbath. If they harvested more manna than they needed, it spoiled.

10 So on your account, the skies have withheld the dew and the land its crops.

Dew is vital for some crops to yield. Dew was also important to feeding the Israelites when they were in the wilderness as we read in Numbers 11:9:

9 When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.

Dew was vital to the delivery of physical food to sustain the lives of the Israelites.

In Exodus Chapter 16, we can read the instructions GOD gave to the Israelites through Moses regarding manna.

11 I have summoned a drought on the fields and the hills, on the grain, new wine, olive oil, and whatever the ground yields, on the people and animals, and on all that your hands produce."

All humans depend upon the grace of GOD to sustain our lives physically and Spiritually. Also, the lives of animals depend upon our relationship to our LORD.

The People's Response

When GOD speaks, how are we to respond? Some are still rebellious and others are obedient. How did the Israelites respond?

Let’s read Haggai 1:12-13:

12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the entire remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. So the people feared the Lord.

The Israelites believed GOD’S message and honored HIM by being obedient. How does GOD respond to obedience?

13 Haggai, the Lord's messenger, delivered the Lord's message to the people, "I am with you"-the Lord's declaration.

GOD reassured the Israelites that HE was with them. Relationship had been restored. GOD responded.

Have you grown either cold or self-serving and put the LORD on the back burner of your life? If so, HE issues a call for you to evaluate your life. Are you gathering so you can have more physical things or is your obedience and relationship to the LORD more important than physical things?

All of us like things but why does the LORD allow us to have the ability to accumulate things? It is a test. How will we use our resources? Seek HIS guidance!

The Bible is very clear as written in Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 

Blessings !!!