SERIES: The Economy of God: A Study in the Book of Haggai
TEXT: Haggai 2:1-9
MESSAGE: “Hope for A Better Future”
Where do you find your hope?
“As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.” — Psalm 103:15-16
“…seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” — Jeremiah 29:7
TEXT: Haggai 2:1-9
Q: What does God say to the people in Chapter 2? God addresses three things: (1. A Current Reality 2. A Needed Encouragement 3. A Better Future)
1. A Current Reality (v. 2-3)
“Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?”
“There was no way these relatively poor exiles could have matched the extravagances of Solomon with his professional craftsmen working with imported woods and huge quantities of gold.” — Robert Alden
2. A Needed Encouragement (v. 4-5)
“Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the Lord. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the Lord. Work, for I am with you, declares the Lord of hosts, 5 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.”
“…you and I can do nothing of ourselves; we are poor puny things; but let us attempt great things, for God is with us; let us dare great things, for God will not leave us.” — Charles Spurgeon
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” – Hebrews 13:5
3. A Better Future (v. 6-9)
“For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. 7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. 9 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.’”
How does God offer a better future?
Well, in v. 6 we find this amazing promise… “For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.”
“At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain.” — Hebrews 12:26-27
“God’s claim that the silver and the gold are his may be a response to the fears of the people – they were economically destitute. The drought and consequent famine had forced them to dip deeply into their meager resources. Subsequently, they found no funds for the temple project…God promised that the glory of the present house would be greater than the glory of the former house.” — Robert Alden
TAKEAWAYS: How can we live as people with HOPE in God?
- First, address your current reality
“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.” — Ecclesiastes 5:10
- Second, work with what God’s given you
Richard Foster, “Celebration of Discipline” Simplicity Audit
- Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status.
- Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you.
- Develop a habit of giving things away.
- Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.
- Learn to enjoy things without owning them.
- Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation.
- Look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes.
- Obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech (Matt. 5:37).
- Reject anything that breeds the oppression of others.
- Shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God.
- Third, ask if you believe Jesus is better than silver or gold