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The Good News

  T he only good news that we ought to know and remember is that Jesus Christ had already won the war against sin and death.  He has made it possible for us to join Him in the afterlife.  All we need now to do is accept Him as He is.  God is alive today and it may be sometimes be difficult to see this.  The world and its demonic nature has still made it look like that only worldly things matter and that the ultimate goal of each one is to achieve their own personal happiness.  This is the biggest lie of all, that we should do all to make us happy. Individual happiness at the expense of someone else is the biggest deception of all. The truth is, our lives are never really about us.  It is ultimately about God and about others.  It is about how you can provide and give joy even at our own expense. This is the model of ultimate and genuine love that Jesus shown us at the cross. "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s frie...

The of Book of Haggai: Rebuilding the temple

 The Book of Haggai is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, consisting of only two chapters. It is a prophetic book, delivered by the prophet Haggai to the Jewish people who had returned to Jerusalem after their exile in Babylon. The primary message of Haggai is a call to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Historical Context: The historical context of Haggai is crucial to understanding its message. After Cyrus the Great issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to their homeland in 538 BC, many did. However, they faced numerous challenges, including opposition from neighboring peoples and economic difficulties. As a result, the rebuilding of the Temple, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians, stalled for about 16 years. During this time, the people prioritized building their own homes over the house of God. Haggai's prophecy is dated to the second year of Darius I (520 BC), a time when the people had grown complacent and discouraged.



Key Themes and Summary:

  • Prioritizing God's House: Haggai challenges the people's misplaced priorities. He asks, "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4). He argues that their economic struggles and lack of blessings are a direct consequence of their neglect of the Temple. He urges them to "consider your ways" (Haggai 1:5, 1:7).

  • Call to Action: The prophet's words powerfully motivate the leaders, Zerubbabel (the governor) and Joshua (the high priest), and the people to resume the work on the Temple. "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel... and the spirit of Joshua... and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God" (Haggai 1:14).

  • God's Presence and Future Glory: Despite the modest appearance of the newly started Temple compared to Solomon's Temple, Haggai delivers a message of encouragement. He assures them that God is with them: "'I am with you,' declares the Lord" (Haggai 1:13). He also promises future glory for the Temple, surpassing that of the former one: "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:9). This verse is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy, pointing to the spiritual glory of the Temple through Christ.

  • Blessings for Obedience: Haggai emphasizes that from the day they restart the work on the Temple, God will bless them. "Consider from this day onward... from this day on I will bless you" (Haggai 2:15, 2:19). This highlights the principle that obedience to God's will brings blessings.

  • Zerubbabel as a Signet Ring: The book concludes with a special message for Zerubbabel, identifying him as God's chosen servant and a "signet ring." "'On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' declares the Lord, 'and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:23). This elevated status suggests a significant role in God's future plans, often seen as a precursor to the Messiah.

Notable Verses:

  • "Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4)

  • "Consider your ways." (Haggai 1:5, 1:7)

  • "The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel... and the spirit of Joshua... and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God" (Haggai 1:14).

  • "'I am with you,' declares the Lord." (Haggai 1:13)

  • "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:9)

  • "'On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel,' declares the Lord, 'and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the Lord of hosts." (Haggai 2:23)

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