><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Haggai) CHAPTER 1 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) How did the Jews of Haggai's day reckon their priorities? What was the consequence? And what was the Lord's Command? What lesson did God with them to learn? Is there a present day application?Cf Mt6:33 2) How had the people failed to live up to the purpose for which they had been allowed to return? Cf Ezr. 1:2-4 Contrast their first beginnings with the conditions described by Haggai. Is this at all your experience? Cf Rev 2:4 What happened once they obeyed God's voice? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Haggai) Chapter 1 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) The Jews seemed to be placing priority on building their own houses, rather than the Lord's. The Lord says directly in v 10 that that is why there has been drought, famine. They began to work on the Lord's temple after being stirred up by Zerubbabel and Joshua. Yes, the lesson is that God must come first in our lives. In this case, everything else was terrible since the Jews failed to do this. (2) Cyrus, king of Persia, had originally let the exiles return to Jerusalem for th eexpress purpose of building the temple of the Lord. Haggai rebuked them for building their own paneled houses before the Lord's. Their passion for the Lord was fizzling out in this respect. But once they obeyed, God promised that, "I am with you" v13b. How much more will He be with us when we obey Him without hesitation. If He is with us, who can harm us? -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Haggai 1 Rebuilding of the Temple From 606-586 B.C., Judah had been conquered, Jerusalem burned, the Temple demolished, and people exiled to Babylon. After 70 years' captivity, Cyrus, king of Persia, issued a decree permitting all the captives to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild their Temple. Only about 50,000 returned, mostly were priests and Levites and poorer among the people. They laid the foundation of the Temple and the work was stopped by their enemies surround them. Nothing further was done for 15 years. During this time, the people lost heart and focused to their own lives. Neglecting the Lord's house they had become more interested in building homes for themselves than for God, 1:4. God would not allow this to go on and so He sent punishment as a result. Poor crops, droughts, scanty trade, misery and turmoil made their spirits fail, 1:6,9,11. Under the preaching of Haggai and Zechariah during Persian king Darius, the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, 1:12. The Lord stirred up their spirit, 1:14, and rebuilding work was resumed and the temple completed in four year. [What the Bible is All About] How Did It Work?! The Word was preached, 1:3; The people obeyed the voice of the Lord and feared the Lord, 1:12; The Lord declared to them "I am with you.",1:13; So the Lord stirred up the spirit of them, 1:14a; Action taken - They CAME and began to work, 1:14b. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- Haggai was the first prophet to the Remnant after the Babylonian Exile. He preached around 520 BC. 1) The Lord spoke through Haggai to Zerubbabel the governor. The Jews of Haggai's day were busy making their houses look beautiful, adding on additions, primping up the exteriors, taking care of the landscaping. They were 'whitewashing their tombs' so to speak. God did not approve of this, it was building up their own temples while neglecting His temple. God brought famine and bad conditions to the people to show them he was displeased with their actions. This is a metaphor to us not to build up houses of our own in the things of this world, but to take care of the true temple of God, our bodies, minds, and spirits. We need to spend less time worrying about the things of this world and how we will live in this world, and start getting right with God and worrying about kingdom life. Matt 6:33-34 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 2) The people had started out with the right thoughts and intentions, but had become sidetracked by the worldly living and modern conveniences. Their valiant start... Ezra 1:2-4 2 "Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, 'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. 3 'Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! Let him go up to Jerusalem which is in Judah and rebuild the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 'Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.'" But alas, they had forgotten this 'first love' and had, after distraction from the world, turned their eyes to the shiny bright lights of the big city and all the things the world had to offer. Once they turned back to the Lord's work, v13 'I am with you' is what God said... The Lord's presence was back amongst them. May we strive each day not to lose sight of the goal and to build ourselves a foundation in the Word and to center ourselves on Christ that we may experience the presence of God in our lives. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Haggai) CHAPTER 2 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Picture the desolate scene and the despondency of the people(v3) But how did the prospect appear to Haggai's eye of faith (v4-9)? On what grounds did he reassure them, and to what vision did he direct their eyes? 2) Verses 10-19. How does Haggai show that a) in the sanctified life contact with unholy things must be avoided, and that b) mere contact with holy things is not sufficient? Is it possible to deceive ourselves today, as the jews of Haggai's day did? Cf 2 Tim 2:19-22 3) What will be the fate of all human activity and organization carried on without God, and what is the work that will stand, whose doers are blessed from the day they set their hand to it? Cf 1 Jn 2:17. Why would Zerubbabel be safe when the Lord would shake the heavens and the earth? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Haggai) Chapter 2 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- (1) It must have been a disheartening, dilapidated looking temple. However, Haggai says, "BE STRONG, ALL YOU PEOPLE OF THE LAND, DECLARES THE LORD, AND WORK. FOR I AM WITH YOU, DECLARES THE LORD ALMIGHTY. THISIS WHAT I COVENANTED WITH YOU WHEN YOU CAME OUT OF EGYPT. AND MY SPIRIT REMAINS AMONG YOU *DO NOT FEAR.*" The Lord is in charge, it is HIS PLAN, not ours. All we need to do is not get in His way! We may be like a piano (an instrument of the Lord's), but it takes the Lord to make the music. (2) Haggai calls the people to the highest degree of purity - the Lord's. I do think we fool ourselves all the time. However, I also think the Lord doesn't want us to fear worldly lusts, but to be strong in Him to fight temptation. All we need to do is ask Him for the strength and trust Him to deliver it. (3) If the Lord is not with us, we labor, love, and toil in vain. Zerubbabel had the Lord's seal on Him. He was chosen and protected/blessed. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Haggai Chapter 2 Zerubbabel's Temple After they started to rebuild Zerubbabel's Temple, they felt that this temple had no way to compare with Solomon's Temple. The Lord told them all "Be strong ---- and work ---. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear." 2:4-5. "The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, ---"2:9. It is the matter of the Spirit of God and the Holiness of the Temple. It is immeasurable from its dimensions or material value. For example, the holiness will not rub off on others, but contamination will. Now that the people were beginning to obey god, He promised to bless them. But they needed to understand that activities in the Temple would not clean up their sin; only repentance and obedience could do that, 2:10-19. [The Living Bible] In this chapter H. mentioned twice about "shake heaven and earth". In 2:6-7, it refers to salvation and 2:21-22 pertains to judgment. "----, and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord Almighty." 2:23b The signet ring was used to stamp documents and articles. This verse made some believe that Zerubbabel will be God's prime minister during the millennium. Zerubbabel is a chosen vessel. Are you a chosen vessel? "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - FRUIT THAT WILL LAST. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16. . -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The question in v3 is asking who among the people remembers the splendor of Solomon's temple. There were a few of the remnant that could remember it. Just as before the children of Israel entered the promised land there were a few to remember Egypt. Haggai relates that the people must press on and work with confidence that the Lord is in their midst. v5 may indicate the work of the Holy Spirit in the OT. ..."My Spirit is is abiding in your midst, do not fear!" Haggai directed them to the future glory of the Messiah, and the Millenial temple. v 8 can be translated several ways and according to the Ryrie study bible(NASB) the KJV "desire of all nations" refers to Messiah, the wealth of nations in NASB refers to the Millenial Temple offerings and Christ's splendor upon His return. 2) Transfered or inherited righteousness does not exist v12. But it is possible to be defiled by transferrence v13. We see many examples in the OT of sin affecting the 2nd and 3rd generations. A prime example is the sin of David extending to his children. We must be careful to preserve ourselves and continue in holy ways. The phrase 'the apple does not fall far from the tree' comes to mind here. Evil reaps evil, but righteousness must be gained through an individual seeking the Lord. There is no inherited salvation. Every man must come on His own terms. There is no inherited faith, just by going to church with your parents does not make you holy. You must realize your own need for the covering of the precious blood of Christ and desire that He be a part of your own life. People like Eli's sons who defiled the temple come to mind as examples of the fact that you cannot inherit your parents religion, no matter how upright or good they are. Every person must come to God/Christ on their own. 3) - All human activity without God will be ended. 1Jn2:17..."but the one who does the will of God lives forever." A special promise is made to Zerubbabel. He is given the signet ring guarantee. This is a special honor to Zer. from God (Ryrie) it is the guarantee of the continuation of the Davidic line through him. What a special priveledge to be sealed with the Signet Ring of the King, guaranteeing the special place. We too are sealed with the promise of the King, not as Zer. but through the blood of the Lamb. We have our name written and sealed in the Lamb's book of life, Praise God for His love for us that He would send his own son to be the messenger of this promised glory!