JUNE 4, 2024
“Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.” (Haggai 1:5, 7)
The date given in verse 1 coincides with the statement recorded in Ezra 4:24. There we learn that owing to opposition the work of rebuilding the house of the Lord ceased “unto the second year of Darius, King of Persia.” The work had begun under Cyrus, whom the Lord referred to as His “shepherd,” and as His “anointed.” Having conquered Judah’s captors, Cyrus had, according to the Word of the Lord, released God’s people with his blessing and much help to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of God which was destroyed when the Babylonians laid waste to the city. According to the King’s proclamation, which was put in writing, the work was begun. However, with only the foundation completed, the work ceased and nothing further was done for fifteen years. It was then, in the second year of Darius, that Haggai the Prophet was sent with this message of rebuke. Twice he said, “Consider your ways!” Notice, it is the Lord Himself who so speaks: “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; consider your ways!”
Clearly, a spirit of lethargy had set in and would not end until God sent His messenger to stir them up. In the year above referred to, on the first day of the sixth month, Haggai addressed himself to the rulers, Zerubbabel, the governor, who was of David’s line, and Joshua, the high priest, saying, “This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’S house should be built.” (Vs. 1, 2) This statement tells us that it was not the “stop work order” from King Artaxerxes that prevented them, but their ownlack of interest, and energy of faith. In fact, since the decree of Artaxerxes contradicted the earlier decree of Cyrus it would have been no real hindrance. The unalterable character of Persian decrees renders the second one invalid, had it been appealed. But apparently, the people had already become listless as to the things of God, and more concerned with selfish interests.
The second decree contained no direct prohibition against building the temple but was rather directed against restoring and fortifying the city. When priorities are out of order, we are prone to interpret circumstances to suit ourselves. At such times it is amazing the amount of energy that will be expended on that which ministers to our own comforts, and how indifferent one can become with things that have to do with God’s glory. Thus, Christians have time and means for much that does not profit, while finding it difficult to find time for church, or to spare of their means for the furtherance of the Gospel.
How condemning is the challenging question here posed by the Lord’s prophet: “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?” (Vs. 4) It is with holy sarcasm that the Lord exposes the inconsistency. No Persian decree hindered their providing well-furnished, ceiled, warm, expensive houses for themselves, but it was a ready excuse for indifference respecting what should have occupied first place in their thoughts. (Matt. 6:33) How easily many professing Christians can exempt themselves from church meetings and holy work with excuses that seem not to hinder any secular pursuits whatsoever. “Thus saith the Lord of Hosts; consider your ways.”
The prophet’s message undoubtedly reveals the secret of many failures and disappointments among Christians today. God cannot bless unfaithfulness and self-seeking. “Consider your ways, 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 in a bag with holes.” (Vs.5, 6) True believers cannot rob God of His due and expect to have His blessing in the process. Thus, He calls on each one to “Consider your ways.” The Hebrew reads “Set your heart on your ways.” It is a call to self-judgement; for the ways reveal the state of soul.
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