Post by gsmithb on Dec 19, 2014 6:08:01 GMT
Bro. Mansfield gave a summary as follows;
Haggai's initial message was delivered to the people on the first day of the sixth month which would approximate to August/September. The Spirit came upon him and moved him to call the people together in solemn assembly that he might deliver the message of Yahweh. It commenced with a well-merited rebuke because of the spiritual apathy they were manifesting. Discouraged by the opposition they had received from the Samaritans, they justified their inaction by claiming that the time was not ripe for the building of the temple urged upon them by Cyrus.
Now, because of the prevailing circumstances, the work lapsed. However as the prophet shrewdly observed, they did not permit opposition to restrain their efforts to build up their personal material resources. They had not merely homes, but paneled and decorated homes, luxurious homes and yet Yahweh's house was permitted to lie waste! Therefore the prophet called upon them to "Consider their ways!" Though they worked hard in their own cause, they did not prosper. They earned good wages, but the money went nowhere! Haggai likened it to being put in a bag with holes. They labored hard, but they received little return. Haggai showed them that though poor harvest and adverse conditions were the cause of this, such were brought upon them by Yahweh because they were neglectful of His work, occupying themselves exclusively with their own affairs.
He called upon them to correct this state of affairs:"Go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith Yahweh" (Hag. 1:8) Haggai thus exhorted that active labor is continuously required in the Lord's service, and that His servants should be "always abounding" in it.
Haggai's initial message was delivered to the people on the first day of the sixth month which would approximate to August/September. The Spirit came upon him and moved him to call the people together in solemn assembly that he might deliver the message of Yahweh. It commenced with a well-merited rebuke because of the spiritual apathy they were manifesting. Discouraged by the opposition they had received from the Samaritans, they justified their inaction by claiming that the time was not ripe for the building of the temple urged upon them by Cyrus.
Now, because of the prevailing circumstances, the work lapsed. However as the prophet shrewdly observed, they did not permit opposition to restrain their efforts to build up their personal material resources. They had not merely homes, but paneled and decorated homes, luxurious homes and yet Yahweh's house was permitted to lie waste! Therefore the prophet called upon them to "Consider their ways!" Though they worked hard in their own cause, they did not prosper. They earned good wages, but the money went nowhere! Haggai likened it to being put in a bag with holes. They labored hard, but they received little return. Haggai showed them that though poor harvest and adverse conditions were the cause of this, such were brought upon them by Yahweh because they were neglectful of His work, occupying themselves exclusively with their own affairs.
He called upon them to correct this state of affairs:"Go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith Yahweh" (Hag. 1:8) Haggai thus exhorted that active labor is continuously required in the Lord's service, and that His servants should be "always abounding" in it.