The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Haggai 1:2-7, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”‘”
3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?”
5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!”
6 “You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes.”
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways!”

What do we do when things just don’t seem to go right? We do the easiest thing there is: Blame someone else! Isn’t that the easiest, most economical way? It’s not my fault! Never! It’s just got to be someone else!

The Israelites were much like that. The LORD had blessed them immensely! Sixteen years befroe, they had fought a war and won! The focus should have then been to honor the LORD who brought them through; but – they were tired; it was a time to rest. We’ll get around to it, they seemed to be saying. But for now, we just need to rest. Sixteen years!!

How do you get a nation of “old geezers,” who just want to sit in the sun and whittle, to get on with the work for which the battle was initially fought? You seek out an energetic young man to sound the alarm. Haggai was just right for that situation! We’re not sure where Haggai was born; and we’re not certain of his actual age –yet he was called into service by the LORD!

Haggai gave five stirring messages to the people. The first was: “Consider your ways!” Things weren’t going well materially for the people. “Did you ever wonder why?” is the question wrapped in Haggai’s early message. We’re too much like Israel today. The Israelites had built nice homes for themselves, but the House of the LORD lay in virtual waste! Think about it, young Haggai says. Consider, too, that you lack the food supply you need. Any idea why that might be occurring?

Once started, you would think the people would be excited! No, they got discouraged when they pictured the House they were building for the LORD was vastly inferior to the one Solomon built. It’s difficult to calculate this attitude unless it was just an excuse to quit working.

Finally, they became encouraged when they learned that their House of the LORD would be superior to the immediately former one. Lee (Outlined Bible) gives the theme as: “God first in life and service!” What wonders the LORD would perform for us, were we to adopt the power of that declaration. But, how is that to be realized? First, by reading the Bible daily; second, by talking with Him daily in prayer; and third, by sharing Him with others. Yet, it all starts with Haggai’s admonition: “Consider your ways!”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom