Blessings now but not yet
Opening Prayer
Father, as I come to Your Word, let me hear what You have to say in my life and help me to follow.
Read Haggai 2:10–23
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[10] On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai: [11] “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says: [12] If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?'” The priests answered, “No.” [13] Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?” “Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled.” [14] Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the LORD. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled. [15] “‘Now give careful thought to this from this day on-consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD’s temple. [16] When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty. [17] I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not return to me,’ declares the LORD. [18] ‘From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid. Give careful thought: [19] Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “‘From this day on I will bless you.'” [20] The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: [21] “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. [22] I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother. [23] “‘On that day,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Why had the Israelites known scarcity?December 18, 520 BC: two months later, the Word of the Lord comes again through Haggai. This had given time for seeds to be sown after the early October rains. Through questions with “yes/no” answers, Haggai explains how Israel, set apart for God and therefore made holy, had become contaminated. Everything they touched had become ritually unclean. The ruined Temple symbolizes this uncleanness. Their only hope now lies in obeying God, who has promised to bless them with a good harvest (19). His blessing is later seen in the early completion of the Temple, in four and a half years, helped by foundations laid 12 years earlier. This was three years quicker than Solomon’s Temple. That same day, Haggai delivers God’s Word to Zerubbabel, governor, David’s descendant and chosen “servant” of the Lord (23). He is to wear the signet ring as a sign of God’s authority, a ring which was torn from his grandfather (Jer. 22:24). All this points to the coming of great David’s greater son. The condition of faithfulness to God remains, as it always does.
Apply
As with Israel, God is calling you to examine your faithfulness. Ask him to give you his perspective.
Closing prayer
Father, give us devoted hearts that are not contaminated by the things of this world. Thank You.
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