After 50 years of captivity under Babylonian control, God freed the Israelites. He commissioned them to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem so God’s glory might be re-established among the nations. Yet, after opposition and competing priorities, work ceased. God raised up the prophet Haggai to motivate God’s people to have God’s kingdom in perspective and rebuild more than they could ever imagine. In Haggai’s first message God calls His church to prioritize the expansion of God’s glory over other competing priorities. The message provides seven ways we might be able to do this today:
- Don’t make excuses (v. 2)
- Recognize inverted priorities (vv. 3-5)
- Consider the outcome of your decisions (vv. 6-7)
- Take up God’s work (vv. 7-12)
- Remember disobedience is costly (vv. 9-11)
- Marvel at the beauty of obedience (v. 12)
- Receive God’s empowering (vv. 13-15)