Old life, new House
Circa 538 BC King Cyrus of Persia released God's own, these exiles could return to Jerusalem and join the remnant. About eighteen years later Haggai the prophet was commissioned by God to prod this remnant to build His House - The Temple, not just their home. Haggai wrote to a people too busy with their homes, not His. Yet, they were already commissioned, delinquent to their charge.
Building 'my house' conflicted with building 'HIS HOUSE'. To this remnant Haggai issued both an explanation and a warning.
Four times in this very short book (only two chapters) Haggai wrote:
- ... give careful thought to your ways 1:5
- ... give careful thought to your ways 1:7
- now give careful thought to this from this day on - consider how things were before ... 2:15
- ... give careful thought 2:18
There was both rhyme and reason to those who would give careful thought, indeed a 'royal reward' to those who obey.
God will never 'trash' His ways or deny His faithful because ... I AM with you ... (1:13) ... and I will bless you. (1:19b)
Obedience is the royal chariot in which blessing rides.