Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:13-15

Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1:13-15

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:13-15. What encouragement! In vv1-12, we see God speaking to Israel, urging them to consider their ways and to prioritize Him above their own desires and comfort - this is the greatest commandment!  The people obeyed and feared the Lord - repentance.  Then, in v13, God, through Haggai, declares that He is with the people. God then moved in the hearts of Zerubbabel (governor of Judah), Joshua (high priest), and the remnant of the people (those who repented) and led them to continue rebuilding the temple. This is a fantastic text of how God moves in the hearts of His people.  First, He is compassionate.  Surely He is disappointed in Israel, but He offers forgiveness if they repent and prioritize Him above all else.  He is then with us - walking with us.  What more can we want!?

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You grace is amazing indeed - You saved me while still an enemy and hostile to You.  I am no different than Israel in any point in her history.  My is grave and daily...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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 feared the LORD.

 Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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 feared the LORD. Haggai 1:12

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:12 reviewing the commentary for the which is the second subdivision (of the first division) which the commentary entitles God’s Word Brings Forth Fear of the Lord.  From the commentary:

• V12 "conveys a couple of ideas about fear, neither of which convey terror, but instead they combine to provide a picture of affection and worship driven by an acute awareness of God’s character."
• It conveys "a sense of submission to the authority of God in response to God's character of God" - His holiness, His awesome power, etc. See also Isaiah 6:5.
• We are encouraged to look elsewhere in scripture where awareness of God drives us to our knees in awe and worship.  See Psalm 51:17 where Nathan confronts David about his infidelity with Bathsheba and David's response is a broken humble spirit seeking God forgiveness.
• V12 also conveys a sense of awe in God's power and might. See also Psalm 61:4.
• "The idea that God is majestic, powerful, and able to save is a key element to rightly understanding who God is and to rightly worshiping Him."
• "As we walk in disobedience, and as we find ourselves confronted with God’s Word, our response should be grounded in a fear of God. Not necessarily an abject terror, but instead affection, worship, and trust, rooted in the person and character of God."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion Jesus - thank You Jesus for my salvation, protection, instruction, guidance and direction, etc.  You are SO good!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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 feared the LORD.

 Haggai 1:12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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 feared the LORD. Haggai 1:12

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:12 which is the first division (and first two subdivisions) of the text covered the commentary's chapter with its title Fear of God Leads to Repentance. From the commentary:

Main idea (for 1:12-15): "The people of Israel heard the word of the Lord, repented together, and obeyed God. As they obeyed God, He affirmed His presence among them."

Excerpts from the commentary for first subdivision entitled God’s Word Brings Forth Obedience (1:12):

• God spoke and the people obeyed.
• "We see two distinct phrases in this verse that explain the significance of God’s words in the lives of the Jewish people. First, and most clearly, the text tells us that the people “obeyed the voice of the Lord their God.” God spoke, and they listened....The verse goes on to point out that God spoke through his prophet Haggai. Continuing on in the verse, we are reminded that the people obeyed God’s voice, and second, they obeyed Haggai’s voice, his words, “because the Lord had sent him.”
• The commentary then shares "three important realities about God's word and our obedience: (1) God's word is powerful and effective (see also Hebrews 4:12), (2) God often chooses to delivery His words through a preacher.  We are reminded that while pastors are appointed by God they are not perfect so we should not worship them. We are also reminded that pastors should take great care in delivering God's word (see also 2 Timothy 4:1-2), (3) we can learn the power of leadership" and how when leaders repent of their sins others follow as seen here in Haggai.  
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your word is powerful and effective and I am blessed that You provide Your word as well as pastors and teachers that help me understand Your message for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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 feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

 Haggai 1:12-15

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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 feared the LORD. Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke to the people with the LORD’s message, “I am with you, declares the LORD.” And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king. Haggai 1:12-15

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Haggai 1:12-15 which is covered in the commentary with a chapter title Fear of God Leads to Repentance and the chapter provides two divisions (1:12, 1:13-15) and five (1:12, 1:12, 1:13, 1:13, 1:14) subdivisions. Here, in response to God's call to Israel to "consider [it's] ways" and repent (see earlier posts here and here), Israel does indeed repent and as God does in all of His compassion and love, He forgives Israel and declares "I am with you," which of course is a tremendous encouragement and source of peace.  Israel's fellowship with God and their heart change leads them proceed with rebuilding of the temple - putting God first. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 3:16 where believers and the church are referred to as God's temple. Just as Israel focuses on building the temple, believers should focus on building their relationships with the Lord and with one another.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves us and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for those who turn towards You.  Thank You Jesus for softening my heart and leading me to You, for saving me.  I am not deserving of such blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.

 Haggai 1:7-11

You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors. Haggai 1:9-11

I resume my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:7-11, the fourth sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Repenting Will Point Them to God’s Pleasure.  Here, God calls Israel to repent and to resume rebuilding of the temple (vv7-8).  He then reminds them of how a pursuit of self-desire and self-worship led to God turning away and withholding His provision.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• Believers should heed this message to consider our ways - our sin of course - and turn towards God to transform our hearts and lives to be more like Him.  Repentance and heart change is key (see also Proverbs 4:23 and Matthew 5:21-30) as behavior change follows heart change.
  
• VV9-11 describes that if you don't repent God withholds the blessings that flow from fellowship with Him. 
• "[People] can repent, follow God’s way, and flourish as they find themselves in harmony with the world as God intended it; or they can reject repentance and risk God’s wrath as He actively works against them, keeping them from flourishing."
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have experienced with my own eyes how obedience to Your commands and a relationship with You is good and You satisfy as no other can - You ARE the Living Water!  Thank You Jesus for the blessings You pour out daily for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-14

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiates 12:13

Today, upon my return from a short trip to SC, I seek to commune and listen to God's Word for me - once again, admittedly I am not bringing my first fruits to God but instead seeking Him after a long day.  This is not what God seeks, so from the get-go I seek God's forgiveness to not only give Him my best but give Him my first.  Before I focus on anything else, I should go to God.  Jesus, please help me do that.  Given all of this I still desperately seek God - including right now.  For my focus, I go to Ligonier.org (online ministry of RC Sproul) and one of its daily devotionals that focuses Ecclesiastes 12 with a post entitled Living Life to the Glory of God.  Having recently studied this book, I draw upon my study and how God uses Solomon, the wisest person the world has ever known, someone who had it all - and found all of life's pursuits meaningless apart from a relationship with God.  The devotional immediately shares how all of us exist to bring glory to God - see also Genesis 1:26, Hebrews 12:18-29.  The devotion then shares: "Ecclesiastes is not teaching us the meaninglessness of life. Instead, it is emphasizing the transitory nature, the impermanence, of life in the present order and is calling us to live in light of that reality. We are, in fact, to enjoy the earthly gifts that the Lord has given us, including such things as loving spouses, worthwhile labor, and good food (9:7–11). However, we must do this with reference to God, recognizing that the best things of this life will pass away but that only He endures forever. We go astray when we make the good but temporary things of this life the ultimate things to which we aspire."  In particular we are referred to vv13-14 where it shares that "we are to live ever aware that the Lord is always watching us, and so we ever aim to please Him." Amen!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is SO full of compassion and mercy for us - loving us while still hostile and an enemy to You and interceding for us in Heaven every day!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation and the mercies You pour out daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily, like not giving You my first and best.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Haggai 1:5-6

Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:5-6

I continue with my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:5-6, the third sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Reflecting on Their Lack of Flourishing Will Point Them to God’s Displeasure.  Here, building on vv3-4 where God questions the Israelites for their devotion to their own lives and pursuits vs love of God and obedience to Him, God continues to condemn Israel.  God shares how the Israelites' ways are futile in terms of providing for their needs, and of course this includes physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  We must rely fully on God for all of our needs - He is the source of our provision, every ounce of it. Excerpts from the commentary:

• God's message through Haggai is intended to draw Israel back to Him, and to show them that His design is that we depend on Him and then we flourish. God calls out Israel's disobedience and then connects it to their current state of want and despair. 
• We are referred to God's design as stated in scripture, including Jeremiah 29:5-7.
• God wants us to see how our actions have consequences - see also Isaiah 59:2 where we are warned and reminded that sin separates us from God and without repentance we remain apart of God - not a state we should desire - one where we are subject to God's judgement, wrath and condemnation.  
• We all sin and need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior. He intercedes on our behalf. Repent and believe! God is good and He will cleanse you...and so much more!
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Living Water, and You provide for all of my needs, You never leave or forsake me, and I can never be separated from Your love...not even in death.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and all the blessings You pour out for me daily.  I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.