Short Reflection from Haggai 1-2

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (OVU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

[6:12 am, 17/02/2022] S.R: ℍ𝕒𝕘𝕘𝕒𝕚 𝟙:𝟟-𝟠

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,' says the LORD."

Friends, let's remember our priority:

1. God

2. Family

3. Church

4. Society.

If you are an IAS officer and have done great work for society but haven't done much for your church, your reward is like a straw in the fire. Building the church in the NT concept is not the physical building but the building (helping grow) of one another because we (the people) are the church. You can build (help others grow) through words of encouragement, texting, praying, visiting, inviting, etc. Everyone can. And knowing all of you in this group, I am sure your contributions aren't straws! 😇👏

I am a pastor but if one day I get married and is not able to maintain my household, the most God-honoring thing is to step down and maintain my household. Family is more important than church. And nowadays, forget the church, people are neglecting family for societal work. It's ok for a soldier to go to war and die leaving behind his wife and children, but that's a different scenario. Nobody will accuse him of neglecting his family. But people for greed, love of money, love of status are neglecting families.

And after all, even if I have the wealth of Elon Musk and give up all my wealth for the upliftment of the poor, and even if I bring a million people to Christ, if my relationship with God is not genuine, I am the most miserable one (cf. Mark 8:36)

Friends, Learn this order of Priority!

 

ℍ𝕒𝕘𝕘𝕒𝕚 𝟚:𝟠

''‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,' declares the LORD of hosts."

Indeed, everything belongs to God.

Bible Reading Reflection from Haggai 1-2

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (JAC) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

ℍ𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔸𝕀 𝟙:𝟚-𝟝

" . . .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!

 

ℍ𝔸𝔾𝔾𝔸𝕀 𝟚:𝟠

"'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! 😇😂

Indeed, God owns everything. Would we experience that every single day of our life! O Lord, I pray!