Have we been obedient?
This is Haggai’s subsequent message, given during the Feast of Tabernacles, around the month of October, 520 B.C. The more seasoned individuals, the elders, could recollect the unbelievable magnificence of Solomon’s Temple, which had been annihilated 66 years before.
Many were debilitated on the grounds that this new Temple was only second rate compared to Solomon’s. But Haggai supported and encouraged them with God’s message that the quality and splendor of this Temple would outperform the former Temple. The most significant piece of the Temple is the presence of God. After 500 years, Jesus Christ would stroll into the Temple courts.
“Be strong, and work, for I am with you.” Judah’s kin had, as of now, returned to worshipping God, and he vowed to favor their endeavors. Presently it was the ideal opportunity for them to work. We should be a group of petitions (that means prayer), Bible study, and worship; yet in the long run, we must get out and do what God has given for us to do.
He wants to use us, to work through us to change the world. God has given us something important to take care of in the church, in our work environment, and at our home. The opportunity has arrived for us to be strong, steadfast, and work, for God is with us.
If we love Jesus, then we should keep his commandments and do the things that he says to do (John 14:15; Luke 6:46).
The Israelites had been driven from bondage in Egypt to their Promised Land. They were God’s chosen, whom he led and tended to by his Holy Spirit. However, he chastised them for their wrongdoings, he stayed faithful to his obligation and never left them (Exodus 29:45-46). Regardless of the hardships we face or how baffling our work might be, God’s Spirit is with us.
The center movements from the neighborhood Temple being remade in Jerusalem to the overall rule of the Messiah. The words “it is a little while” are not restricted to what is the historical setting; they allude to God’s control of history. He can act any time he picks. God will act in his time (Hebrews 12:26-27).
When God vowed to “shake all nations” with his judgment, he was discussing both the current judgment of the evil countries and the future judgment to come during the last days (Isaiah 13:13).
The “desire of all nations” has two potential implications: First, it could allude to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who might enter the Temple 500 years after the fact and fill it with his greatness and his tranquility. Second, it could likewise allude to the wealth that would stream into the Temple, given as contributions to the people of God.
God wanted the Temple to be remade, and he had the gold and silver to do it, however, he required willing hands. God has decided to take care of his job through his kin. He gives the assets and resources; however willing hands should accomplish the work. Are our hands accessible and available for God’s work on this planet?
The model given in this message clarifies that sacredness and holiness do not rub off onto others, however, defilement will. Since the people were starting to submit and obey God, he vowed to provide encouragement and prosperity (2 Samuel 22:22).
However, they needed to comprehend that the Temple activities would not tidy up their wrongdoing; just contrition, repentance, and obedience could do that.
If we demand holding onto wrong mentalities and sins, including bad influences, we will be tainted. After we are equipped with God’s Holy Spirit, only then will holy living be evident in our lives (Titus 1:15).
If we work in the garden, or on an automobile our hands get dirty. Sin and childish mentalities produce similar outcomes; they stain all that they contact. Indeed, even benevolent acts accomplished for God can be polluted by corrupt perspectives (Matthew 23:5).
The only cure is God’s purifying, his cleansing, and his forgiveness of our sins (Proverbs 21:4).
The people reestablished the Temple’s foundation, and God promptly favored them. He did not wait for them to finish the job, he blessed them anyway. God regularly gives his approval and endorsement with the first obedient undertakings that we do.
Is the seed yet in the barn? What have we done with what God has given us? Are we storing it up for later use? Have we planted it? Have we shared the seed with others? Every seed planted has the potential to produce an abundance of other seeds. If the seed is not planted, then there can be no fruit produced (Numbers 15:40).
Haggai’s message to the people was for them to get their priorities in line, assist them with stopping their stress, and spur them into rebuilding the Temple. Like the Israelites, we regularly place a higher need on our own solace than on God’s work and giving him true praise and worship.
However, God is satisfied and guarantees strength and direction when we put him ahead of all others in our lives (Ephesians 1:4; Isaiah 41:9; John 15:16).
God’s ability for reestablishing life is outside our ability to grasp. Woodlands burn to the ground and can develop back. Broken bones recuperate. Indeed, even anguish and grief are anything but long-lasting conditions. Our tears can be seeds that will develop into a harvest of joy and happiness since God has the ability to deliver good things once again from misfortune.
When we are troubled somewhere near distress, we should realize that our seasons of pain will end and that we will again discover joy and delight. We should be patient as we pause and wait upon God. God’s most noteworthy harvest of eternal joy is coming.
In Luke 8:4-8, Jesus tells the parable of the four soils. Faithful Christians sow the seed of the Word of God, which comes from the grain silos of the scriptures. The faithful Christian carries those seeds forth, wherever he or she may go, scattering the seed and planting the seed. It is not an easy job to perform.
Tears are seeds that can grow into God’s harvest.
There are often times of great sorrow in the Lord’s work, hence the “sowing in tears.” We should all be weeping for the lost souls that plague this earth. Have we truly been about God the Father’s business planting the seed?
If the seed is not planted, it cannot bring forth fruit. It is a precious seed because it was bought with a price, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, laid down his life so that mankind might have eternal life.
Sowing the seeds of love can bring about tears of sorrow for the Christian, either on account of their own deficiency, through the fear of defeat or the dread of progress (Psalm 80:5).
Those tears could be because of the hardness of the ground and the hardness of men’s souls they have to deal with. The Christian “farmer” may have feelings of being inadequate, but the Lord is always with us (Matthew 28:20) and he will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5).
Is the seed still in the barn or have we taken it out for planting?
Have we been faithful to till the ground, stir up the soil, and prepare the ground for planting? Are we using our tools wisely and carefully, i.e., our testimony, how people see our Christian walk? Do we plant the seed and lay the foundation? (Isaiah 28:24).
Do we nurture, feed, water, and take care of what and where the seed was planted, or do we deprive the soil of what it needs? (John 4:14).
Do we gather the harvest or cut it down before it has had time to grow? Have we waited too long and now it has dried up and died? (Matthew 9:37-38; Galatians 6:9).
There are plenty of people waiting to hear the Word. Do not make excuses, look around, we will find someone eager to listen to the Word of God. God will use us in one way or another or maybe in many aspects.
We are to be prepared to work; we could be the ones to lead someone to Christ. Do our part, till the soil, plant the seed, water it (nurture), then help gather them in. Never give up, Christ did not give up on us.
The soil must be plowed, the seed must be planted, the sprouts must be pruned before the sweets can be picked.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about Sowing Bad Seeds?
What Does it Mean to Have Faith Like a Mustard Seed?
Are Karma and 'Reap What You Sow' the Same Thing?
What Is the Parable of the Sower? Bible Meaning and Text
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/RomoloTavani