by J. Riddle (Cheshunt)
As we have seen, the Book of Haggai comprises four messages: (1) To reprove their idleness, 1.1-15; (2) To restore their confidence, 2.1-9; (3) To rebuke their unholiness, 2.10-19; (4) To reward their leader, 2.20-23.
The first message can be divided into two sections:
A) The reproof, v1-11;
B) The result, v12-15.
We have already studied Haggai’s searching message: "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house lie waste?", v4. God’s people had put their own interests before His interests, and, centuries later, Paul was obliged to say, "All seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s," Phil.2.21. Bearing in mind that the "Lord’s house" today is the local assembly, (see 1Tim.3.15), we should seriously assess our own priorities. Is His house ‘lying waste’ today because we are ‘doing our own thing? ‘We are happy to report, however, that Haggai’s preaching was heeded, and this brings us to:
The little word "then" occurs twice in this section. See v12 and v13. In the first case, it introduces what they did: Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God." They recognised how wrong they had been to neglect God’s interests in favour of their own. In the second case, it introduces what God did: "Then spake Haggai the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the Lord."
We can analyse these verses as follows:
Their attitude, v12. They "obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and 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."
Their attitude, v12
"Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord." We must notice:
The leadership was united. Zerubbabel and Joshua acted together. The people were united. "All the remnant of the people" were involved. The leadership and the people were united. "Zerubbabel … and Joshua … with all the remnant of the people." The leaders and the people acted as one. This delightful unity of purpose contrasts with previous self-interest: "ye run every man to his own house," v9. Other references show that unity characterised God’s people this time. See 1.14, 2.2, 2.4. They had one common aim and purpose.
This reminds us of Ps.133: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity … for there the Lord commanded the blessing." It also reminds us of Phil.1.27, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together (not, 'striving with each other') for the faith of the gospel." There is nothing worse than a bunch of irreconcilable people trying to preach a message of reconciliation! In this connection, we should also notice the occurrence of "one accord" in Acts. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication," 1.14. "They were all with one accord in one place," 2.1. They continued daily with one accord in the temple," 2.46. "They lifted up their voice to God with one accord," 4.24. "They were all with one accord in Solomon's porch," 5.12. "It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord," 15.25.
Assembly unity is promoted and maintained by activity. Fellowship inevitably suffers when God’s people are idle. The old proverb is so true: ‘the Devil finds work for idle hands to do.’ He also finds work for idle minds to do! People who are busy in the Lord’s work just haven’t got time to fall out with each other! Working together, with common desires and objectives, is a great preservative from disharmony. We have a wonderful example in the book of Nehemiah where "the people had a mind to work," 4.6. Just look at them ‘labouring together’ in ch.3! You never saw such a mixed bunch! But their diversity did not hinder their unity. The construction of the tabernacle provides another excellent example. See Ex.35. The men, v23-24, the woman, v25-26, and the rulers, v26-27 were all involved.
We must therefore "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace," Eph.4.3. It is often pointed out that the Holy Spirit creates that unity by indwelling each believer in the Lord Jesus. We do not make the unity. But we must keep it! With this in mind, we must "consider one another to provoke unto love and good works," Heb.10.24. Alas, there are other ways in which we can provoke each other! "Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another," Rom.14.19. See also 1Thess.5.13. If you do needlessly upset or offend a fellow-believer, do not hesitate to apologise. A genuine apology is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of spiritual strength.
They displayed their obedience in their relationship with God ("obeyed the voice of the Lord their God"), and in their recognition of Haggai ("and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him"). This contrasts vividly with Zephaniah’s description of God’s people: ‘She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the Lord; she drew not near to her God," 3.2. We can go a little further in the contrast. Zephaniah describes the "princes" as "roaring lions," the "prophets" as light and treacherous persons,’ and the "priests" guilty of pollution and violence, 3.3-4. But what a difference here! Zerubabbel was a prince, Haggai was a prophet, Joshua was a priest, and all three were honourable servants of God.
Their relationship with God. They "obeyed the voice of the Lord their God." We all began our Christian lives by obeying the gospel. See Rom.6.17, "But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you." Romans begins and ends with reference to "the obedience of faith," 1.5; 16.26. Compare Acts 6.7, "And the Word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith." But if we commenced our Christian life by "the obedience of faith," then we are to continue our Christian life on the same principle. "As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance," 1Pet.1.14. It would be very nice indeed if it could be said of us, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed," Phil.2.12. We must never forget the words of Samuel to Saul: ‘Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams," 1Sam.15.22. This does not mean that obedience is easy, especially if the emotions are involved.
Their recognition of Haggai. They "obeyed … the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him." They recognised that he was "the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message." Haggai was not one of the prophets described in Jer.23.21, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken unto them, yet they prophesied." We must remember that it is not a man’s identity that is important, but a man’s ministry. "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man," 1Cor.3.5 Compare Amos, "I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycamore fruit: and the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel," Amos 7.14-15. We must value and esteem servants of God, not because of their education or professional status, or even because of their interesting and engaging personalities, but because they bring the Word of God. Even then, they are simply servants exercising their God-given ministry: "as the Lord gave to every man."
We cannot fail to notice a significant change of language. When the people were occupied with their own houses and their own interests, God describes them as "this people." He does not acknowledge them. But now, with their change of attitude, and the resumption of work, He is "the Lord their God." See v12 (twice) and v14.
"The people did fear before the Lord." In his comment on Ps.19.9, ("The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever"), C.I. Scofield writes, ‘The "fear of the Lord," is a phrase of the Old Testament … meaning reverential trust, with hatred of evil.’ Perhaps we could define it as a ‘reverential awe.’ It is not cringing fear, but a hatred of anything in our lives that will bring the Lord grief or displeasure. The late Montague Goodman (a lawyer) likened it to ‘the attitude of a devoted son to his much loved and honoured father, lest anything should mar the perfect harmony that subsisted between them.’ It is not surprising that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge," Prov.1.7, and "the beginning of wisdom," Prov.9.10. The early churches "had … rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied," Acts 9.31.
—to be continued (D.V.)