Most of us would have to look in our Bible’s Table of Contents page to find the Book of Haggai. It would be worth the effort, though, as Haggai’s words still echo truth to our hearts today.
In Haggai’s time the people of Israel were returning from their 70 year exile in Babylon. Returning home, they found the city of Jerusalem and God’s Temple in ruins. Initially, they started rebuilding the Temple, but soon their own properties took precedence, and the Temple project was abandoned.
So God sent Haggai to deliver a message. “Consider your ways,” said the LORD, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while [My] house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4). The Temple was God’s special dwelling place among His people. It stood as a symbol of God being in fellowship with those He loved. It represented people being in a right relationship with the Lord and opened the door for worship. The Temple was a monument to God’s grace that the nations of the world could see.
His Temple was destroyed as part of God’s judgment on sin. But now was a time of forgiveness. Of Grace. Of Peace. So the LORD says, “build [My] house . . . that I may be glorified” (1:8). Glorified= so you and the world will know that I am a holy and righteous God. That people may know forgiveness and the joy of worshiping their awesome Creator.
Now today, God’s special dwelling place isn’t a building. It’s God’s people! As we lead others to Christ, the church “grows into a holy temple” (Ephesians 2:21). God is honored and worshiped in us. We are His temple—wherever we may meet in His name. Think on this as you consider God’s word through Haggai: “Build My House.”
