SESSION 11

Seek Him FirstRather than always focusing on our personal needs and wants, we must give some attention to the needs of God’s people and His kingdom. SESSION 11: SEEK HIM

FIRST

SE S SION 11: SEEK H I M F I R S T 111 DAT E OF M Y BI BL E S T U DY: 111© 2015 LifeWay

HOW DO YOU DISCERN THE “SMALL STUFF” FROM THE “BIG STUFF” IN YOUR LIFE?

First published in 1997, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff … and It’s All Small Stuff soon became one of the fastest-selling books of all time. It spent nearly two years on the New York Times’ best seller list. It has been published in at least 135 countries in 30 different languages. Written by Richard Carlson, a therapist and motivational speaker, the book tapped into a following of readers whose hectic, stress-filled lives left them gasping for relief. In 2006, however, just 4 years before his untimely death at age 45, Carlson published a work entitled What About the Big Stuff? In it he admitted that some events in life demand priority. He defined those events as anything that changes you in a permanent way, good or bad.

When Haggai looked around at the Jewish community of Jerusalem in 520 B.C., he saw a people who were spiritually disengaged. They were ignoring a very important matter of faith. The foundation of a new temple of the Lord had been laid more than a decade earlier. But the work had stopped. Opposition groups forced a temporary delay, but that issue had been resolved. What hindered the work in Haggai’s day was not external opposition but rather the people’s refusal to make the Lord’s house a priority. God called Haggai, along with his fellow prophet Zechariah, to stir the covenant people to action. The temple played an important role in their faith. It’s completion needed to be their priority.

“A TRUE LEADER

INFLUENCES

OTHERS SPIRITUALLY

ONLY BECAUSE

THE SPIRIT WORKS

IN AND THROUGH

HIM TO A GREATER

DEGREE THAN IN

THOSE HE LEADS.”

—J. OSWALD

SANDERS

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HAGGAI 1:1-11; 2:5-9

1:1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest: 2 “The Lord of Hosts says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.” 3 The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5 Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways: 6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.” 7 The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways. 8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house. Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it. Why?” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. “Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 So on your account, the skies have withheld the dew and the land its crops. 11 I have summoned a drought on the fields and the hills, on the grain, new wine, olive oil, and whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all that your hands produce.” [ … ] 2:5 “This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt, and My Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.” 6 For the Lord of Hosts says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord of Hosts. 8 “The silver and gold belong to Me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. 9 “The final glory of this house will be greater than the first,” says the Lord of Hosts. “I will provide peace in this place”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.

Circle the title used repeatedly in these verses that refers to God. How many times

do you find it used? What does the title indicate to you about God? Underline the

repeated command in verses 5 and 7.

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UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT

The Book of Habakkuk is brief, comprised of only two chapters. Likewise, the recorded time frame of the prophet’s ministry was brief, covering just under four months (see Haggai 1:1; 2:10). Nevertheless, the prophet’s messages to God’s people were powerful and effective.

When God’s Word is given due reception, it is able to accomplish much good in a short period of time. In every situation, God should have the last word, and our response should be obedience. The decisiveness of our response to Scripture is always in line with the depth of our conviction about its priority in life.

To be submissive to God’s Word is to be concerned with God and His glory. For Haggai, the temple was paramount—not merely the construction of a building but more importantly the restoration of faithful worship of the Lord. The “word of the Lord” connected directly to the Lord’s house. Haggai revealed the reason of the discipline Judah had received from the hand of the Lord. It was because of their failure to properly honor and worship God—and Him alone—that consigned the people to judgment and exile.

The restored exiles had been back in the land of promise a mere 20 years, and selfish tendencies had already set in. They had become preoccupied with their own needs. God’s Word called them (and calls us) to confess their misplaced priority.

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EXPLORE THE TEXT

REALITY DEFINED (Haggai 1:1-9)

•Darius became the ruler of the Persian Empire in 522 B.C. This was an important event for the Jews returning from exile to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple. Ezra 6:1-15 reveals that Darius supported the Jews’ efforts by reauthorizing the legal decree, ordering opponents of the work to cease and desist their tactics, and providing funding for building materials. Haggai understood Darius’s actions as nothing less than the mighty hand of God on display (see Ezra 6:14,22).

The Lord’s first message through Haggai was designed to awaken Judah’s leaders to a disturbing reality. Both •Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua (or Jeshua), the high priest, had led in rebuilding the altar and laying the temple’s foundation (see Ezra 3:2,8-11). However, as leaders of God’s people they also shared blame for the current spiritual neglect.

The problem in Judah was that the people had found a flimsy excuse for their inaction. Haggai challenged the leaders of God’s people to lead again—that is, to trust in the Lord of Hosts and to obey His Word.

Haggai cut through the people’s flimsy excuses with the word of the Lord he had received. The fact was that people had time, money, and the fortitude to build nice homes for themselves. That they didn’t think it was the right time to rebuild God’s house revealed more about their hearts than about their time. Centuries later, Jesus taught as much when He declared, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

The Lord called His people to carefully consider their ways. This involved examining not only their everyday actions but also the results of those actions. Simply put, faith in the Lord should give His people a different perspective about material possessions than the world has. Jesus gave this principle in Matthew 6:33, where He taught His disciples to seek God’s kingdom first and trust that a loving, all-powerful Heavenly Father would meet their needs.

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How would you respond to a friend who says, “I can’t afford to give to the church and pay my bills too”?

The need for God’s people to think about their lifestyle was so important that Haggai repeated the command. Excuses for inaction are as flimsy as weak faith. The solution was to get their priorities straight. This heart transformation would become evident as they got busy completing the temple construction. In response to these steps being taken, God would be pleased and glorified. No doubt other materials would be required, but God would provide all that was necessary.

All of the people’s expectations of economic prosperity were left unfulfilled. Even after the harvest when the produce should have been safe, it was still ruined. Nothing is safe when it is kept from God. Why did these deprivations and calamities take place? No doubt this question arose in their hearts and minds. Haggai made it clear that it was not because God didn’t care. He did care, and what they did mattered to Him. It happened because they had preoccupied themselves with their own needs and left God’s work neglected.

DISCIPLINE DEFINED (Haggai 1:10-11)

Not every natural disaster is a result of human sinfulness and divine retribution. There is a mystery behind some events in nature. However, Haggai knew that this particular drought and crop failure did not fit that category. The people’s persistent refusal to honor God by completing His house resulted in His using the elements of nature to discipline them.

Although it isn’t obvious in English Bible translations, Haggai used a play on words between 1:9 and verse 11. In 1:9, he used a particular Hebrew word (chareb) to describe the Lord’s house as being in ruins. Here in verse 11, the prophet used a close-sounding word (choreb) to refer to the drought God brought to discipline His people. The intent of Haggai’s word-play was to help his listeners connect their spiritual neglect to their physical lack. Life and faith are always interconnected.

KEY DOCTRINE: Stewardship

According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.

THE INTENT OF

HAGGAI’S WORD-

PLAY WAS TO HELP

HIS LISTENERS

CONNECT THEIR

SPIRITUAL NEGLECT

TO THEIR PHYSICAL

LACK.

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Describe the difference between God’s discipline and His judgment. In what ways might they be the same?

GLORY TO COME (Haggai 2:5-9)

The promise the Lord made to His people in Haggai’s time was grounded in history. That is, the same promise given to the Israelites who came out of Egypt with Moses was offered to the exiles who returned from Babylon. The Lord promised that His Spirit would dwell among them, protecting and guiding them to fulfill their calling as the people of God. The practical application of this reality was that believers had no reason to fear. Putting priority on God’s kingdom is a life of faith, to be sure. But God’s promise is that there is no need to be afraid. He will provide.

If there is one thing that makes human beings feel helpless, it is an earthquake. The total loss of control and vulnerability makes one feel small and helpless. God had shaken the earth in the early days of His dealings with Israel (see Exodus 19:18). He was prepared to do so again with His restored people in Haggai’s day.

The purpose of the turmoil promised by God was to dislodge financial resources from the nations. The phrase treasures of all the nations in verse 7 has been variously translated and interpreted. One interpretation relates the prophecy to an ultimate fulfillment in Jesus’ coming as the Messiah. God’s glory, His treasure, would thus come to the covenant people in Christ’s arrival. Another interpretation relates the verse to God’s ability to providentially provide all His people needed to restore the holy city and their lives (see Ezra 6:8-10).

God owns all the resources and treasures in the universe. He created them, and He gives them to whom He wills. When nations selfishly hoard or misuse what God has given them, He is able to shake up the nations, using any number of means to rechannel treasures into His work and purposes.

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Through a question, Haggai called to mind the grandeur of the temple that Solomon built (see Haggai 2:3). That memory was not lost on some who had been at the dedication of the foundation (see Ezra 3:12-13). The dimensions of the rebuilt temple paled in contrast to the original temple. Nevertheless, Haggai declared God’s revelation that the greatness of the rebuilt temple would eventually exceed Solomon’s temple. He saw this through the eyes of faith.

In addition to a greater glory, God would provide peace through the rebuilding of His temple. The Hebrew word for peace denotes more than the absence of strife; it includes a sense of wholeness and health. The very name Jerusalem—where the rebuilt temple was located—can mean “city of peace.” Being in a place like that, literally or figuratively, is the desire of every person.

How do the promises of God’s glory and peace serve as motivators for believers to put priority on God’s work?

Bible Skill: Search for a New Testament example of an Old Testament principle.

Haggai 1:7-9 includes a declaration from God for His people to contribute time and materials to complete work on the temple. Compare this declaration to Paul’s instructions in 2 Corinthians 9:5-8 concerning a church’s contribution to a relief offering.

What are the similarities and differences?

What common principle emerges concerning believers’ priorities?

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OBEY THE TEXT

Quick obedience to God reflects a healthy spiritual life and our desire to place His Kingdom ahead of our desires. We must fight the temptation to neglect the work of the Lord in favor of selfish interests. When we respond to God in obedience, He will show His glory.

In what places do you see God’s work being neglected today? Identify the steps that need to be taken to get that work done. Include how you and your group can be involved in doing that work.

Ask God to reveal areas of your spiritual life that are being ignored. Ask Him to also show you what you need to do. Write a prayer of commitment, expressing a desire to be attentive to His directions.

Describe a time in your life when you experienced God’s presence. Determine how that experience was connected to an act of obedience. How can those experiences motivate you to be obedient in the future?

The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways.” —Haggai 1:7

MEMORIZE

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Use the space provided to make observations and record prayer requests during the group experience for this session.

MY THOUGHTSRecord insights gained and questions to discuss during the group experience.

MY PRAYERSList specific prayer needs and answers to remember this week.

MY MISSIONAcknowledge ways you will obey God’s Word this week.

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