by J. Riddle (Cheshunt)
Again Read Chapter 1.12-15
We have noted that the first of Haggai's four messages is found in 1.1-15 which was written TO REPROVE THEIR IDLENESS, 1.1-15. It can be divided into four sections.
A) The Reproof, v1-11;
B) The Result, v12-15.
In the last paper we subdivided v1-11 as follows:
Their attitude, v12. They "obeyed the voice of the Lord their God the people did fear before the Lord."
Their assurance, v13. "I am with you, saith the Lord."
Their activity, v14-15. "They came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God ".
We have dealt with the first of these and must now consider the second and third sections.
"Then spake Haggai, the Lord's messenger, in the Lord's message unto the people, saying, I am with you saith the Lord." After the solemn message in v3-11, it must have given Haggai great joy to comfort and encourage God's people! Their change of attitude enabled God to bless them with His presence. Up to this point, He had acted against them, see v9-11, not because He hated them, but to secure a change in their attitude. Now He was going to make it clear that He was for them. See Heb.12.11, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." Notice, therefore, that God spoke to His people, v13, and God "stirred up" His people, v14. We must observe:
Haggai was entrusted with the message. He was "the Lord's messenger." On the one hand, he was simply a "messenger": but on the other, he was a privileged and responsible servant of God.
It is so important to remember that however elevated our service might appear, we should regard ourselves as "unprofitable servants," Lk.17.10. Here is the full quotation: "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." As `the Lord's messengers,' we must "walk humbly" with God, Mic.6.8. John the Baptist described himself simply as "the voice of one crying in the wilderness." Now read Rom.12.3.
It is equally important to remember that it is a great privilege to be "the Lord's messenger." We are "the servants of the most high God," Acts16.17. We represent Him faithfully. "It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful," 1Cor.4.2. The message we carry is not ours to alter or amend. A messenger must convey the message committed to him without subtraction or addition. Jeremiah was told, "Diminish not a word," 26.2. Haggai faithfully conveyed the message entrusted to him, whether it involved reproof or encouragement. We must notice as well that Haggai was "the Lord's messenger, in the Lord's message unto the people." He had a responsibility towards them as well. Compare Rom.1.14, "I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise." The word "debtor" means exactly what it says: Paul was in debt to the Greeks and the Barbarians. He did not owe them a sum of money, but he owes them the Gospel! We owe it to men and women to let them hear the Gospel. How well are we discharging our debt?
But Haggai was also involved in the message. He was not `the Lord's messenger, with the Lord's message unto the people, but "the Lord's messenger, in the Lord's message unto the people." He was certainly not "the Lord's messenger, with his own message!" The man and his message were one. The prophets were not men who mechanically churned out sermons. They felt the weight of the Word of God themselves. That is why their messages are often called a "burden." See, for example, Isa.13.1, "The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see." How much do we feel the weight of God's word. Or, to put it another way, is the Word of God part of us? Listen to Jeremiah: "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart," 15.16. Ezekiel was told, "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel," 3.1-4. Compare Rev.10.8-11. Paul "was pressed in the spirit" at Corinth, Acts18.5. The RV has `constrained by the word' here, and W. E. Vine explains this as follows: `Paul felt the urge of the word of his testimony to the Jews at Corinth."
"I am with you, saith the Lord." This is a great promise! Other passages come readily to mind. For example, "Let your conversation be without covetousness," and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee," Heb.13.5. (This reiterates the promise made in Deut.31.6-8 and Josh.1.5). Matthew's Gospel commences with His presence: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us," 1.23. It concludes with His presence. "Go ye therefore, and teach (disciple) all nations teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen," 28.19-20. This is very precious, but we must remember that, through Haggai, God promised His presence to people who had realised the folly of living for themselves, and given Him first place in their lives. If we want to experience the presence of God consciously and actively in our own lives, we must also give Him first place. Haggai emphasised the greatness of God. "I am with you, saith the Lord (Jehovah)." Promises are only as good as those who make them, and the French Bible says it all, `Je suis avec vous, dit l'Eternel!' They needed nothing else. The presence of God met every need. All their resources were in Him. This must have been a tremendous encouragement to them, especially when we remember that they are described as "all the remnant of the people." On the one hand, we have their weakness, with possible depression and discouragement, and on the other hand we have the presence of God! The evidence of God's presence with them follows:
"And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, in the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king." There are at least four things to notice here:
It began with God, "And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel Joshua all the remnant of the people." The recommencement of the work was not `their idea.' They responded to divinely-given conviction. In fact, the whole story of their return from captivity, and work of temple reconstruction, began with God. "Now, in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia ", 2Chron.36.22, Ezra1.2. We should be careful about making passionate appeals in connection with missionary work, and other aspects of service for God. The Lord Jesus said, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest," Matt.9.37-38. Barnabas and Saul were "sent forth by the Holy Ghost," Acts13.4. God took the initiative in connection with the work at Jerusalem.
We must not forget, however, that we must respond to God's initiative. See 2Tim.1.6, "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands." See also 2Pet.3.1.
The leaders are mentioned next. "And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua." See Ezra5.12. Having spoken through Haggai and Zechariah, Zerubbabel and Joshua "rose up and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem." They were "ensamples to the flock," 1Pet.5.3. Timothy was to be an "example of the believers (objective genitive here; `be thou an ensample to them that believe,' RV), in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in purity." We must remember that an assembly seldom, if ever, rises above the example and standards of its leaders.
Finally, the people are mentioned. `And the Lord stirred up the spirit of all the remnant of the people." Whilst, as we have said, the leadership set the people an excellent example, we must not forget that God "stirred up the spirit of all the remnant of the people" in exactly the same way as he "stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua." Both leaders and people acted out of divine conviction. It was not just a case of `follow my leader!' Conviction about the work got right down to the `grass roots' of the nation. Don't leave everything to the leadership in the assembly, and trade on their convictions. God wants us all to be concerned about His work.
Now let's alter the emphasis. `And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and the spirit of Joshua and the spirit of all the remnant of the people." Whilst we could argue that "the spirit" refers to the highest part of man, it seems more likely that this refers to their inward desires and aspirations. Perhaps we can illustrate this from Rom.2.29, "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter." God did not push reluctant people into the work: He gave them the enthusiasm to get on with the job. There is all the difference in the world between doing something reluctantly because it has to be done, and tackling a task with zeal and enthusiasm. Just look at the enthusiasm in Ex.35.21, "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation." Paul could say, "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers," Rom.1.9. If we are only `going through the motions' in our service for God, it won't be long before we grind to a halt. The Lord Jesus said, "I delight to do Thy will, O my God: yea, Thy law is within my heart," Ps.40.8.
"They came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God." Not `they came to the services,' but "they came and did work." Most assemblies have a core of workers plus a `fringe membership.' You will have to decide where you belong, and if it's the second category, transfer to the first now!
They certainly didn't `hang about.' The work recommenced in twenty-four days. The ministry of Haggai certainly expedited the work. Just twenty-four days. How long does it take for Bible teaching to become effective in our lives?
to be continued (D.V.)