[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]
βπΈπΎπΎπΈπ π:π-π
" . .
.This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of
the LORD to be rebuilt." Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the
prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled
houses while this house lies desolate?" ". . .Consider your
ways!"
The book of Nehemiah and Ezra gives us
the background of Haggai's message. Many preachers in Manipur misapplied the
message of Haggai to construct their church buildings. And they'd even use
strong words like Haggai, but they failed to understand the context.
In today's post, let's see the situation
of the people more accurately, contrary to many preachers who pictured them as
worthless materialistic people.
Nehemiah 11 reveals that it took a great
sacrifice and commitment to return to Jerusalem. They had a comfortable life,
home, family in exile; who would want to go back to the old city of Jerusalem
which was in ruin? Those dwellers of Jerusalem were highly determined people.
Nehemiah lived later than Haggai, so by the time of Haggai, the situation could
be more difficult.
Ezra 4 reveals that there was great
opposition against the rebuilding. They even hired lawyers and local
politicians to stop the construction. So, obviously, people would think that
perhaps it was not the right time to build. Look at our times, churches have
been shut off for almost 2 years and people think it's not the right time to
come to church because the government has imposed a lockdown.
And the enemies of Jews were ready to
pounce upon them. God raised up Haggai to encourage them to rebuild in this
situation. They did and the building was completed. We (Christians of our
times) are far worse, more materialistic, less enthusiastic, and have misplaced
our priorities more than the Jews of Haggai's time.
If we have the opposition and persecution
of Haggai's time, only a few among 2.3 billion Christians will cling to
Christianity. Even the coronavirus has revealed to us who loves the family of
God and who doesn't belong!
βπΈπΎπΎπΈπ π:π
"'The
silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts."
The Jews were poor, especially traveling
a long journey from their homes in exile to this ruined city to rebuild. Even
if they were rich in their homes, carrying luggage on donkeys' backs and
walking under the sun for many days and nights wasn't easy.
Whatever they had, they had to contribute
and restore the glory of the temple. And this verse came to them as an
assurance, encouragement, and exhortation that God is the creator and possessor
of all things.
William Carey said, "Expect Great
Things From God and Attempt Great Things For God"
A story is also told about a church that
was desperately needing a sum of money for some work. In an elder meeting, one
elder got up and prayed, "Lord, You are rich. You owned all the cattle
in the hills. Provide our needs!" The next day, their needs were met
by a guy who sold his cattle! ππ
Indeed, God owns everything. Would we
experience that every single day of our life! O Lord, I pray!