HAGGAI 2
2 Outlines
Haggai 2:1-9
ENCOURAGING WORDS
(Second of three of a
series on Haggai)
In 1933 the church I now
pastor experienced a terrible tragedy.
The church building burned!
Imagine how the people of a small country church must have felt when
their church home was destroyed. And this happened in the middle of the Great
Depression. Although I wasn't around at
that time, I'm sure the people needed some encouraging words.
There are so many people
today who need encouraging words. There is so much sickness, so many accidents,
so much sorrow, so many hard feelings, and so much sin.
Such was the case also
in the days of Haggai. He was a prophet in
Haggai was one of two
prophets who encouraged the building program. The other was Zechariah. Haggai told the people to get busy, or today
he might have said "Just do it!" In Haggai 1:12-15 we are told that
the leaders and people listened and returned to building the temple.
Haggai rebuked his
listeners in chapter 1. He gives them encouraging words in 2:1-9.
THE PROBLEM OF SIZE -
Vss. 1-3
Vs. 2- Haggai's message
was directed to the civic leaders, religious leaders and the people themselves.
Vs. 3 - He addresses the
fact that many of the older men were discouraging the people, because they were
remembering what the previous temple looked like. It was much larger. When we
compare ourselves to others or to the past, it is easy to become discouraged.
THE PRESCRIPTION OF
SERVICE - Vss. 4-5
Haggai's antidote for
the discouragement is a prescription of service that contains four thoughts.
1. "Be strong"
- Vs. 4
2. "Work" -
Vs. 4
3. "I am with
you" - Vss. 4-5
4. "Fear not"
- Vs. 5
THE PROSPECT OF SUCCESS
- Vss. 6-9
A shaking will take
place. I believe that this will be when Christ establishes His kingdom. Vss.
6-7
He promised to fill His
house with glory.
I believe He's talking
about the Millennial temple.
The glory of the Millennial temple will be greater than the glory of what was
the current temple. Vss. 8-9
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Haggai 2:10-19
THE DIVINE QUIZ
(#3 of 3 in series on
Haggai)
Ever since the early
days of television there have been quiz shoes. Recently there has been a resurgence in these shows with the success of "Who
Wants to be a Millionaire?" These
programs test the wit and intelligence of contestants.
Many of us enjoy quiz
shows, but shows are not the only places we encounter quizzes. A
"quiz" in school is a mini test. And when you want information at
home you may "quiz" your wife, husband, or children. Even the boss at
work may "quiz" you about the status of a certain project.
In Haggai 2:10-19 we
have what I have labeled "The Divine Quiz". Here is quiz in which God
is asking the questions. He does it for a reason. He does it knowing the right
answers, so that He might explain and apply what is being said in way of an
answer.
REVIEW
Haggai was one of the
twelve Minor Prophets.
He wrote during the time
of
A group came back with
the express purpose of building the temple. The altar was rebuilt and the
important sacrifices were reinstated.
The foundation for a new
temple was laid and then the work stopped.
Through the preaching of
Haggai and Zechariah work once again began on the temple.
INQUIRY - Vss. 10-14
In verses 10-11 God
simply instructs Haggai to ask certain questions of the priests for an
interpretation of the Law. In verse 12 the question was given. If a man is
carrying a piece of "holy flesh", meat sacrificed on the altar, and
accidentally touches bread, food wine, or oil with his garment, will this make
the thing touched holy?
The answer given by the
priests was "no". Leviticus 24:4 explains that a man who is unclean is
not to eat of the holy sacrifice. If that holy sacrifice can not make a man
clean, it can not make anything else clean either.
The application for us
today is very simple. A person will not
be clean enough to go to heaven because he hangs around Christians. Being born into a Christian family does not
make you a Christian. Going to a Christian church does not make you a
Christian. The church and family will influence you to become a Christian, but
do not save you. As valuable as the
Christian Family and Church are, every person must decide for himself to become
a Christian.
The same principle is
true of living a Godly Christian life. Hanging around Godly Christians will
influence you in a positive way, but hanging around them does not make you
Godly. It is obeying God and living as
He wants you to live that makes you Godly.
The second question
Haggai asked had to do with people touching a dead body. A dead body was considered unclean or unholy.
Scripture teaches that if a person or priest touch a
dead body he is ruled "unclean". The things he touches are also
unclean according to Scriptures and the priests of Haggai's day. Vs. 13
EXPLANATION - Vss. 14-17
Disobedience reaps
judgment.
Haggai relates directly
to the people.
The people had been in
the process of service and sacrifice and yet were unclean.
Vs. 14 - God explains
that their disobedience concerning the rebuilding of the temple meant that God
could not be pleased with their service to God or their sacrifices. Because
they were unclean in one area, they were unclean in all areas. No matter how much service or sacrifice we
perform, if there is known sin in our lives God is not pleased. 1 Peter
1:15-16, 1 Corinthians 5:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Vss. 15-16 - God is
explaining and asking them to think about what they reaped when they were not
doing the Lord's will. Because they were unclean through disobedience, the
results of their labors amounted to very little. God was judging them.
Deuteronomy 8:5-6, Galatians 6:7
ENCOURAGEMENT - Vss.
18-19
Although God had
withheld his blessing because of disobedience, now that they were being
obedient God would now bless them. When
we repent and do what God wants us to do, we will reap the blessings of God.
(You might want to use
King Saul as an example of disobedience and the consequences thereof. See 1
Samuel 15.)