The Lord gave strengthening commands to the people of Israel through Haggai. They had paneled houses, but the Temple was still in ruins. Here's the Message translation of Haggai 2:1-7:
1On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the Word of GOD came through
the prophet Haggai: "Tell Governor Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and High Priest
Joshua son of Jehozadak 2and all the people: 3"Is there anyone here who saw the
Temple the way it used to be, all glorious? And what do you see now? Not much,
right?4""So get to work, Zerubbabel!'-GOD is speaking.""Get to work, Joshua son
of Jehozadak--high priest!'""Get to work, all you people!'-GOD is
speaking.""Yes, get to work! For I am with you.' The GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies is
speaking! 5"Put into action the word I covenanted with you when you left Egypt.
I'm living and breathing among you right now. Don't be timid. Don't hold back.'
6"This is what GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies said: "Before you know it, I will shake
up sky and earth, ocean and fields. 7And I'll shake down all the godless
nations. They'll bring bushels of wealth and I will fill this Temple with
splendor.' GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies says so.
Note that God speaks to the leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua) first, then to all the people: Get to work! I like verse 5 -- "put into action the word...I'm living and breathing among you right now."
God didn't call them to pray, sing, or give money. He called them to work. And not work at filling their own grain bins, but for the building of His Temple.
So men, what is God calling you to work at today, for the sake of His kingdom?
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