based on the LGG Study, Our God Who Pursues / w4d1
Read: Haggai 1 (SOAP 1:12-13)
When God’s people were released from Babylonian captivity, they returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. However, because of opposition from the Samaritans, the temple still lay in ruins while the people were living in houses they built for themselves with panels meant for the temple.
The people were misguided in thinking that the Samaritan opposition meant they should abandon their mission to rebuild the temple. Their decision to instead use what was meant for the Temple to build their own houses was an even bigger mistake, and God made sure they knew it (Haggai 1: 1-11).
So – Is it wrong to live in nice houses?
While some may believe and teach that Haggai’s message was meant to infer that we are not to live in nice houses, I believe God’s true message wasn’t about their houses but rather about their hearts. They had misplaced their focus and lost sight of their mission and, in the long run, of their God. For, as Gotquestions.org points out, not only did the self-focus of God’s people involve neglecting God’s temple, but it also meant they were not worshiping in the temple as He desired.
The application for us today is that we must place God’s will above our own. In the case of the Jewish people, their self-focus involved neglecting God’s temple (and therefore worship in the temple) while focusing on their own homes. There is nothing wrong with living in a nice home, but there is something wrong with neglecting God’s priorities to pursue our own. First things first, and honoring God is more important than houses or any other material thing.
gotquestions.org
The Lord was not pleased, nor would He tolerate the people putting themselves first. However, the real problem wasn’t the houses; it was their hearts. As He had told them through the first commandment He gave to Moses, and Moses gave to them – He was a jealous God, and they were to put nothing (no other gods) before Him. There is nothing wrong with living in a nice home, but there is something wrong with neglecting God’s priorities to pursue our own. First things first, and honoring God is more important than houses or any other material thing.1
“You shall have no other gods before me. … for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God, who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.
Exodus 20:3, 5
This was made clear to them not only through the message of Haggai but through a variety of ‘natural disasters’ that were meant to turn their focus and mission back to the true and living God. I find this to be a great reminder that the LORD does indeed pursue us and, in love, uses what it takes to get our attention. Verses twelve and thirteen reveal that the people not only listened to the message from Haggai, but they obeyed – and not as those under duress but as those who respected the Lord their God – and the Lord responded by energizing and encouraging both the leaders and the people.
Friends, we would be wise to understand that while this passage is from the Old Testament, its message still holds true for us today. We are to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves, which Jesus said sums up all the law and the prophets.
Food for Thought
From the LGG Journal
“The Israelites return to Jerusalem was a gift of God. Their response should have been one of praise and thanksgiving by first rebuilding the temple, yet they were focused on self.
We, too, can be like the Israelites. We ask and hope for God to deliver us from a situation or make something new or better. When He does, we forget to respond rightly in praise. We can quickly move on and serve our own desires, or we start wanting the next thing. God graciously used Haggai to call the people back to obedience, and they quickly obeyed.
Think of your own life right now. Would your lifestyle and habits indicate that your first priority is serving and worshiping God? May we not become distracted and taken off course like the Israelites. May our hearts and lives be focused on God first and foremost.”
p121/Our God Who Pursues
Prayer of Response
Father, God, we can so easily become distracted by roadblocks or our own wants and desires. Thank You for the reminder that You not only love us but pursue us and draw us back to You and Your mission/desire for our lives. Help us to remember that Your desires/mission for our lives are so much better and more important than our own. May we live lives that glorify and honor You as we live obediently to Your commands. May we not neglect to praise and worship You for who You are and what You have done in our lives. – In the Name of Jesus I pray, – amen and amen!
Me From the Inside Out 