What does EGW write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "Haggai 1, 1-15 Interpretation"
Answer
The prophet Haggai made an urgent appeal to the discouraged people of Israel to reconsider their priorities and rebuild the devastated temple of God. He made clear that their economic lack and the absence of blessing were a direct result of them beautifying their own houses while the house of the Lord was neglected. As soon as the leaders and the people responded to this admonition with obedience, God assured them of His strengthening presence and moved their spirit to complete the work.
The Call to Self‑Examination and Temple Building
To those who were discouraged, Haggai posed the probing question: "Is it now time for you to live in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate? Now, thus says the Lord of hosts: Pay attention to your ways." Why have you done so little? Why do you concern yourselves with your own buildings and not with the building of the Lord? Where is the zeal you once felt for the restoration of the house of the Lord? What have you gained by serving yourself? The desire to escape poverty has led you to neglect the temple, but that very neglect has brought upon you what you fear. "You sow much but reap little; you eat, yet you are not satisfied; you drink, yet you are not drunk; you clothe yourselves, yet no one is warm; and whoever earns wages puts them into a leaky bag.
Reaction of the Leaders and the People
The message of counsel and rebuke given through Haggai was taken to heart by the leaders and the people of Israel. They sensed that God was serious with them. They did not dare to ignore the repeated instructions sent to them—that their well‑being, both temporal and spiritual, depended on faithful obedience to God’s commandments. Roused by the prophet’s warnings, Zerubbabel and Joshua obeyed "with the whole remnant of the people the voice of the Lord, their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet.
Assurance of Divine Presence
As soon as Israel resolved to obey, a message of encouragement followed the words of rebuke. "Then Haggai … spoke to the people: I am with you, says the Lord. And the Lord stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel" and Joshua "and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God.
The Core Statement of the Book of Haggai
Key word: "Build"; Key verse: – Haggai adds to the list of the minor prophets after the exile. He lets God’s call sound to an apathetic people to rebuild their destroyed temple. He contrasts the shame of their neglect with the reward of their faithfulness. He promises that Jehovah will take pleasure in the work: The glory of the later house will be greater than that of the former, for the Desired One of all nations will come and walk through its vestibules.
- Temple building Zerubbabel
- Pay attention to His ways
- Haggai prophecy Christ
Original Sources (English)
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