Haggai 1:1-6 – God’s people put their comfort over His concerns. We must constantly evaluate if misplaced priorities have taken us.
Context
- King Cyrus of Persia permitted the release of the exiled Israelites so they could return home (Ezra 1:1-4).
- Most Jewish people had become so comfortable that they declined the offer to return to the Promised Land (Isa. 10:21).
- The remnant immediately rebuilt the temple’s foundation, but after sixteen years, the work was still incomplete (Ezra 3:10).
Content
- Haggai’s message came from God and to the civil leader and religious leader (1:1).
- The LORD of the angelic armies would only ask mere people for something if they needed to give it (1:2).
- God is fully aware of what we do, say, and think (1:2).
- Continuing to put off God’s work indicates that you value something more (1:2).
- God’s people had little to offer God because they had invested solely in themselves (1:3-4).
- God knows we often need to pause our schedule and consider our ways (1:5).
- God’s people overlooked His agenda to prioritize luxuries that were unable to satisfy (1:6).
Consideration
- Time – We lose an unthinkable amount of hours due to ongoing distractions and undeserving devotions.
- Money – To receive an abundance of blessings and to offer only occasional leftovers is an insult to God.
- Efforts – When we take God for granted, we offer Him attempts we would never dream of giving to anyone else.
- Showing indifference to God’s instructions reveals a devaluing of God’s presence.
- Are you guilty of making God a small deal in your life?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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