Text: Haggai 2:1-9
Theme: The Glory of The New Temple Shall Be Greater Than the First.
Take-Home-Point: God’s Word of Encouragement – “Be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you.””
Resistance to Rebuilding the Temple (Please read Ezra 4:1-5, Ezra 4:23-24, Haggai 1:13, and Matthew 28:20)
Haggai’s mission to the people of Southern Israel (Judah) in 520 BC was to encourage them, lift them up and restore them to the plan of God for the nation of Israel (see Haggai 1:12 and Haggai 1:14-15).
Haggai 2:1-9: The Coming Glory of God’s House:
1 In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. 5 ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’
6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”
Highlights of Haggai 2:1-9:
1. God’s Assurance: The Glory of the New Temple Compared to the Former (vs 1-3).
“Anytime we dwell or relish in the past, it becomes a clog that does not allow us to move forward or see the glorious future God has prepared for us.” (see Exodus 16:3 and Numbers 11:4‑6).
“Relishing in our past does not show gratitude to God for what He is doing in the present. God does not want us to dwell in the past because His plan for our future is more glorious than the past.”
2. God’s Encourages His People To Work (vs 4-5).
“Great success and Great things are not accomplished by folding our arms” God wants us to take action by working. Go to work and do what God has called us to do. That is what guarantees success.” (see Proverbs 6:9-11).
God gave them concrete reasons why they had to work:
God Assured them of His Presence (Haggai 2:4).
We serve a God who remains faithful (Haggai 2:5).
Emmanuel is with us (Haggai 2:4b) “so My Spirit remains among you. (See Nehemiah 9:20, John 14:26, John 14:16, and Romans 8:26).
3. The New Temple Will Be More Glorious Than the Former Temple (vs 6-9).
When we genuinely trust God, we will give generously to His work without grudge. Our love for Him will motivate us to do His will and to love one another.
Finally, the Lord promised us peace in His Temple in verse 9b, ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” The same peace our Savior Jesus promised us in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Amen.
Thank you for worshipping with us at Hope Church Moreno Valley, God bless you.
I wish you a meaningful week in Christ Jesus.
Pastor David Jite