Haggai Part 3

IV. HAG 1:12-15. A. Haggai's rebuke was met with a proper response: church leaders and church members united against error because they believed the rebuke was from God. v. 12 c/w 1TH 2:13-14. 1. Rebukes from God should yield our rebuke of our lusts and sins. JOB 34:31-32; 42:6 c/w ROM 6:21. 2. As God promised the remnant who would repent that He would in turn “...rebuke the devourer for your sakes...” (MAL 3:10-11), so He will also rebuke Satan, our devourer. JAM 4:7 c/w 1PE 5:8-10. B. Subsequent to their clearing of themselves, the word from the LORD was, “I am with you...” (v. 13). Haggai 10-12-24 Page 4  1. The assurance of God's support and comfort came after godly repentance. 2CO 7:9-11 c/w 2CH 15:2. 2. God places more value on being with the humble, contrite spirit than being with the builders of carnal edifices for Him to indwell. ISA 66:1-2. 3. “I am with you” is the promise that resides with the faithful builders of God's spiritual house. MAT 28:19-20 c/w 1CO 3:9. 4. “I am with you” is the very name of our Savior, the Head of the church. MAT 1:23. 5. “I am with you” is the inspiration we need to face all obstacles. ROM 8:31. 6. “I am with you” counters the fear of evil. PSA 23:4. 7. “I am with you” is better than the sobering cautions of JOS 7:12 and REV 2:4-5. 8. “I am with you” is a continual promise to the faithful, even in the face of abandonment, with one exception. 2TI 4:16-17; MAT 27:46. C. Seeing their change in attitude, God stirred up the people to the work. v. 14 c/w PSA 110:3; 119:32. 1. God stirs up His builders to stir up themselves. 2TI 1:6. 2. Things get built when people have a mind to work. NEH 4:6. 3. NOTE: Evangelism is a matter of the Holy Spirit’s gospel stirring up the Holy Spirit in regenerate men to stir their spirit to repentance, faith, baptism and good works by which they may conclude they are the sons of God. ROM 8:15-17 c/w EPH 1:13-14. D. They had hearkened unto Haggai as a man sent from God. v. 12 c/w JOH 1:6; 13:20. 1. Being without prophets for some time, and their spirit being right, they treasured up Haggai’s words in their hearts and acted accordingly. 2. “It is sometimes so; when good preaching is most scarce it does most good, whereas the manna that is rained in plenty is loathed as light bread.” (Matthew Henry) Note PRO 27:7. 3. Their reception of Haggai being so positive, God sent them Zechariah shortly thereafter. HAG 1:1 c/w ZEC 1:1. E. It took only about three weeks for them to hear and respond. vs. 1, 15. 1. We do well to strike while the iron is hot when under conviction. PSA 119:60. 2. “Those that have lost time have need to redeem time; and the longer we have loitered in that which is good the more haste we should make when we are convinced of our folly.” (Matthew Henry) F. “...and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,” (v. 14). 1. There was not much of a building at this point. The secondary foundations were not even laid until three months later. v. 15 c/w HAG 2:18. 2. Their first work would have been the preparations: gathering of materials, etc. HAG 1:8. 3. We do well to consider that preparation for construction is part of the construction process. a. Prayer, witness, preaching, repentance and faith are as important as the baptisms which actually build the church of Jesus Christ. Baptism adds prepared lively stones to God’s spiritual house. ACT 2:41 c/w 1PE 2:5. b. Paul emphasized his preaching of the gospel over baptism. 1CO 1:17. (1) The preached gospel accomplishes its purpose whether or not folks are converted and baptized. 2CO 2:14-16. (2) Sometimes, baptized stones are dead, not lively. JUDE 1:4. 4. God’s imperfect house is still God’s house. ROM 7:18-8:1; REV 2:4-5. Haggai 10-12-24 Page 5