Discouraged with their new life back in the ruins of Jerusalem in 520BC, the returned exiles turn their focus to building their own houses while neglecting work on the house of God due to opposition, weariness, and low yields of their harvests. They are discouraged by the inferiority of the new temple compared to the past one.
We may wish for past encounters with God.
As we move into the rubble of our own or someone else’s mess, we are easily detracted from the building of the inner temple where God dwells. Discouraged, we can focus on outward endeavors that may bring more immediate returns; whether ministries that make us feel good or outward appearances that gain the praise of others.
God pleads through Haggai, “Consider your ways…!” Stop and notice your neglect of Me in the inner place. Reflect on these matters. Then God stirs the leader, the priest, and the people to turn toward Him and engage in the temple work, putting their attention there. (Haggai 1:14, 2:4)
Haggai sees the greater glory coming in the future, pulling them from dwelling on the past as wonderful or terrible as it was. He lifts their eyes to the need for God’s presence now, highlighting His divine overcoming of oppressors. “The latter glory will be greater.” (Haggai 2:9) The remnant of God’s people would be established in the midst of turmoil. Their eyes would become fixed on an Eternal King and kingdom.
As we work with Him on our temples (souls) we are lifted above our internal enemies. We name and renounce the shame of our past, defeating its power over us. We can look ahead with hope and endurance even through the “shaking of the nations,” fixed on the Greater One among us.
This powerfully speaks to those in the rubble of life, dwelling on how it used to be or should be. There’s a time to release that, consider our ways, and hear what God is saying, attending to the “now” of our inner temple, where God dwells. Let’s work with Him in that place. Build there and begin to see your hope and glory in Him. He is establishing you, grounding you for a better future and hope, even amid the turmoil.
What might be an external focus that needs to be put aside to “heed the voice of the Lord”?
photo by Cheri Magerell
artwork – ALEXANDRA DE BASTO