Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all you peop l e… an d work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Haggai 2:4). “Consider now from this day forward” (Haggai 2:18).
“Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you’” (Haggai 2:19).
Zerubbabel had led the Jews back into the homeland to rebuild the temple. They drug their feet, but finally got the foundation laid, but discouragement came, enemies roared, and the temple remained in ruins. They were disobedient and God dealt with them, called for a drought and all the work in harvest was in vain. And…many deny God is in control!!!
Lukewarm Christians
This attitude is very much alive in individual Christians and in local churches today. I believe most of the light of Jesus is under a basket. Many are listening to the roaring of the lion and this leads to being disobedient to God. Many churches are dead and don’t know it. The witness of many Christians is also dead!
Christians, we must rise up, continue to build up the Kingdom of God. God has commanded this. When will we realize that if we continue the direction of disobedience that God will do more than shake us? Over the years I have heard the phrase “let’s don’t rock the boat” we may offend the enemy, I say let’s not only rock it, but let’s sink it. We must be verbal with our witness. I have never seen anyone who comes to Christ who cannot let the whole world know it.
Tell Everyone
To be silent about Jesus who suffered, shed His blood for forgiveness of sins and resurrected from the dead that we …if we believe have eternal life is to be disobedient. How do you do a “hush-hush” about Him? I have been forgiven and have eternal life in Christ, and a Heavenly Home waiting for me when I leave this sinful land. I will never keep this to myself! If you know Him as your personal Savior, let the world know it. That is being the best witness.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” ( Matthew 10:32-33).
God had called the Jews to go home and be a witness to the Gentiles. They were not a witness for Him, but ignored the call. God had done so much for them and has done so much for us, how do we ignore His call and the command to go into “all the world” with the Gospel?
It had been sixteen years and God reminds them of how He had to discipline them. They had a sinful heart. “‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean” ( Haggai 2:14).
They had laid the foundation with a negative spirit and it did not honor God. They needed to consider their personal heart, repent and get on with the work.
“I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me,’ says the Lord…Considers now from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it; Is the seed still in the barn? (Haggai 2:1719). They had to say no!
Listening to the roaring of the enemy had to come to a halt. They must, and we also must always put the Lord first in all we do and glorify Him. Time is short! We may not have sixteen years to finish His work!
“…be strong, all you people…,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts… so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’ (Haggai 2:4-5).
Let’s work together, pray and move across this land like “spiritual locust,” casting out the roaring of the lion, for God is with us!!!
