I CAN KNOW THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO BUILD BY…
1. LISTENING CAREFULLY TO GOD
On the first day of the sixth month, during the second year King Darius reigned over the Persian Empire, the prophet named Haggai gave a message from the Eternal One to men named Zerubbabel (Shealtiel’s son and the Jewish governor of Judah) and Joshua (Jehozadak’s son and the high priest). This is what the Eternal, the Commander of heavenly armies who is more powerful even than the king, has to say. ‘The people say the right time has not come to rebuild the ·Temple [house] of the Lord.’ Then Haggai the prophet spoke the word of the Lord:
Haggai 1:1-2a (VOICE)
If I am listening to God carefully….
I will honestly answer any questions he asks.
Do you think the time is right for you to live in secure and lavishly covered homes when My house still lies in a heap of rubble?
Haggai 1:4 (VOICE)
I will consider the insight he offers.
Think very carefully about your choices. You have planted a large crop, but your harvest is small. You have food to eat, but it is never enough to satisfy. You have something to drink, but you are never filled. You have clothes to wear, but they are not enough to keep you warm. You earn a salary, but the money runs out quickly, as if there are holes in your pocket. Think very carefully about your choices.
Haggai 1:7-8 (LB)
You expected to be well rewarded for all your hard work. But as you see, you are getting back almost nothing. As you have brought in profits, I’ve blown them away. Why? I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will tell you why: My house has remained in ruins while each of you has been chasing after your own concerns. This is why heaven above you has held back the dew[a] and the earth has refused to produce crops. I caused a drought in both the fields and the hills. All the crops you tried to produce have been affected, including your grain, your new wine, and your oil. All have been damaged: humanity, cattle, and everything you tried to produce yourself.
Haggai 1:9-11 (VOICE)
I will quickly obey any command he gives.
Go up to the mountains, and bring down trees to make lumber and build My house. Do this so I may take pleasure in it and be honored by it.
Haggai 1:9 (VOICE)
Then Zerubbabel (Shealtiel’s son), Joshua (Jehozadak’s son and the high priest), and all those who had returned obeyed the voice of the Eternal, their True God. They took seriously the message brought by the prophet Haggai..
Haggai 1:12a (VOICE)
2. UNITING AROUND GOD’ PURPOSES
On the 24th day of that 6th month, which was King Darius’ 2nd year, Haggai, the messenger of the Eternal One, received this new message from the Eternal and shared it with the people. I am with you. And the Eternal One rallied the spirit of Zerubbabel (Shealtiel’s son and Judah’s governor), the spirit of Joshua (Jehozadak’s son and the high priest), and the spirit of all those who had returned to Jerusalem so that they came together and began work on the house of their God, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies.
Haggai 1:13-15 (VOICE)
”’So get to work, Zerubbabel!'--GOD is speaking. "'Get to work, Joshua son of Jehozadak--high priest!' "'Get to work, all you people!'--GOD is speaking. "'Yes, get to work! For I am with you.' The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is speaking!
Haggai 2:4 (MP)
3. SEEING FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE
”Are any of you still living who saw how glorious My first house was before it was destroyed more than 60 years ago? How does this current one look to you now? In comparison to the first, does this one look like nothing? Of course it does. “But don’t be discouraged. Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Joshua…. Be strong… Keep working on it. For I, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, am with you… You will stand by and watch as the magnificence of this new house will eclipse the magnificence of My first house. And in this new house, I will give you peace.
Haggai 2:3, 5, 9 (VOICE)
The path we walk is charted by faith, not by what we see with our eyes.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (VOICE)
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