The Book of Haggai – Part One – Consider Your Ways – (Literally Set your Heart to your ways)

The Book of Haggai

REFERENCE

1:1

2:1

2:10

2:20

DIVISION

1st  Word from God

2nd  Word from God

3rd  Word from God

4th  Word from God

FOCUS

Sanctification

Glory In the Temple

Unclean Corrupts The Clean

Messiah and His  Kingdom

TIME

September 1 & 24, 520 BC

October 21, 520 BC

December 24, 520 BC

December 24, 520 BC

TOPIC

Obedience - Finishing the Temple

Filling The Temple with Glory

People, Nation, and Work is Unclean

The Line of Christ, Judgment of the Nations, The Kingdom

God is pleased and glorified with Obedience

God Views the series of Temples as One

God Does Not Reside In an Unclean Temple

Zerubbabel as a Signet, Chosen to represent King Jesus

LOCATION

Jerusalem

 

We make a mistake if we treat God’s Word as if it only refers to the dispensation in which we are living.  The interpretation of Haggai, I noticed, can be a good example of this.  In fact, many preachers and Bible teachers have made this big mistake. 

You undoubtedly have heard, I know I have, many sermons about Haggai’s encouraging the returned remnant of Judah to build the temple and then directly connecting that to the building or remodeling of a church building today. 

Now the building of the temple had been stalled for about 14 years after the foundation was put in and the people needed Haggai’s encouragement.  And of course, there is nothing wrong with having beautiful church buildings today.  God’s glory no longer resides in a building as it had in the time of the Law, but since the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, God’s Spirit resides in His people, the believers. In fact, the nation of Israel and the Church has different judgments and they do not occur at the same time.

 

I Corinthians 3: 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

I Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

I Corinthians 3: 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 3: 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

I Corinthians 3: 13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

I Corinthians 3: 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

I Corinthians 3: 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

I Corinthians 3: 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

I Corinthians 3: 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Also refer to Appendix I: God’s Plan To Tabernacle With His Creation, and Appendix II:  God’s Seven Main Judgments

Historical Background: Ezra 3:8-13; Chapters 4-6 Also See Appendix III: Chronology of the Kings during the Divided Kingdom

Special Theological Terms:

1.       Signet:  In Old Testament times, a King would have a ring, called a “signet” with his unique stamp on it.  Official documents were sealed with wax and this stamp.  If a person was given this “Signet” by the king, this person had been chosen to represent the king in official business.

2.       The “Day of the Lord” or “That Day” refers to the future time with two parts beginning with the Great Tribulation period and continuing on to the Second Coming of Christ with the Holy Angels, and the setting up of the Kingdom.  See Appendix IV: The Day of the Lord

Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

Joel 2:2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

I. Put God First – (Be Sanctified, -  Hagiasmos) September 1, 520 BC

A. A False Psychology or Excuse

Haggai 1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,

Haggai 1:2 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.

Yea, we have our psychology sayings today, such as:  “Once saved always saved” and call it “Eternal Security” or “You can’t lose your salvation”.  There truly is Eternal Security, but it comes from God’s teaching of salvation found in Romans 4-8 as well as many, many other places – a salvation which includes Justification by Faith and works (God’s foresight) Romans 4 and James 2, Sanctification by faith and action (Romans 5-7), and Glorification Romans 7-8 at the Rapture, but can experience it right now Ephesians 3).  We cannot buy salvation or trust in the works of the Law, but salvation comes from looking forward to the cross, by the “works of the law” in the old Testament before the cross, or today since the work on the cross is “finished” by faith and not trusting in the works of the Law, but by “Going on to perfection”

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God…

Hebrews 6:9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Hebrews 6:12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,

Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.

Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

B. A Conflict of Interest

Haggai 1:3 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

Haggai 1:4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

C. A Challenge To Set your Heart on Your Ways

Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Literally using the Greek words: Consider <07760> (8798) <03824> your ways <01870>, soom (Appoint), lebab (Heart), and derek (Pathway)

“Consider “literally means “set your heart upon” – In fact almost the exact same phrase is translated differently in Daniel:

Daniel 1: 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Again, the same thought is expressed in the New Testament using the word Phroneo.  In the book of Colossians we read that we must have a mind set:

Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,

Colossians 2:21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;

Colossians 2:22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

Colossians 2:23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Colossians 3:6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Colossians 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Colossians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Colossians 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

D. Result of Not Putting God First (No Sanctification- Not separating from the world)

Haggai 1:6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

E. Again, Set Your Heart Upon Your Ways – (It’s Your Fault, not God’s)

Haggai 1:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

We must see at this point that it wasn’t so much laziness or complacency, (They worked hard on their own houses), but instead of blaming their own ways for bringing on the test from God, as we will see later, they blamed God for not blessing them.  (Can’t you hear them saying something like: ”Why me Lord, we are your people, but you haven’t blessed us.)

 James gives us the application today:  James 1:1-15. (Vs. 1-12 “temptation” is perismos or as defined inverse 3: “trying of your faith”, Vs. 13-15, “tempted” is peraidzo as defined in verse vs. 14: “Drawn Away of His Own Lust”

Also, Christ said: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.  If God is our treasure, then there will our heart be also.

F. Challenge To Forget the Excuses and Obey God – Obedience to God’s Word

Haggai 1:8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

If the people had obeyed God, God would take pleasure in it and God would be glorified.

Because the people had not obeyed God, God was putting them through a test of their faith.  This was a hard test as God will describe through Haggai:

 

Haggai 1:9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

Haggai 1:10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.

Haggai 1:11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

You see, God was putting the disobedient people through a test, and they must not have understood this.  The people were making sacrifices and giving gifts, but did not realize the teaching that God gave to King Saul, “Obedience is better than Sacrifice.” (I Samuel 15:22)  The instruction needed could have only come from the Word of God with the evidence of the faith in God’s Word by obedience.

G. The People’s Response to the Challenge

 

Haggai 1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.

The people just had a big dose of realizing who God Is, and were beginning to gain wisdom.   As we learned in Habakkuk, God is interested in the affairs of men.  And while God is merciful and gracious in dealing with His people, God’s people must realize that God’s plan for mankind is going to continue on, no matter who wants to get in the way.  When they realized what that plan was and obeyed God, God was pleased, God was glorified, and the people feared the Lord.  This is the beginning of Wisdom.  Proverbs 9: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

H. God’s Confirmation 23 Days After God First Spoke Through Haggai

Haggai 1:13 Then spake Haggai the LORD’S messenger in the LORD’S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.

Haggai 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,

Haggai 1:15 In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.