READ: Haggai 1:1-6
In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, ‘Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, ‘The time has not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built’. – Haggai 1:1-2
The Jews have returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. They have gathered to serve the LORD. Yet, much is still lacking in their worship. There is a square, but no temple! Where does the LORD dwell? Where is His ark?
They have been back for at least 15 years now, returning under King Cyrus, who had given them the command to rebuild the temple. We read in Ezra 1:2 that Cyrus says, ‘The God of heaven has commanded me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.’ Their fellow countrymen gave them much silver and gold, and Cyrus even returned the original temple treasures that Nebuchadnezzar had stolen from Jerusalem—5,400 gold and silver items.
They had returned with enthusiasm and gratitude. The LORD had shown mercy to them again—a miracle of grace! Now, they would be able to worship the LORD in His house.
But now it is already the second year of King Darius, and nothing of the temple has been built! Of course, there have been opponents and setbacks. The Samaritans were anything but helpful, and King Cambyses was less favorable to them than Cyrus.
But didn’t the people have their God? Is He not the LORD of hosts? Where is their zeal for Him and their trust in Him?
Then suddenly, the prophet Haggai appears in the temple square, where the high priest Joshua and the governor Zerubbabel are also present. He comes in the name of the LORD of hosts with a great reproach: ‘The people say that the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD!’
How important do you find the work for the church?
Sing: Ps. 69:12