Bible In One Year-Day 188 (Sunday, July 07, 2013)

Commentary: Haggai1-2. Haggai was a prophet amongst the first set of the Jews that returned from exile under the leadership of Zerubbabel;

Ezra 5:1 “Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.”

He was a motivator and an encourager in God. When the Jews faced serious oppositions in building the walls and the gates, they were frustrated and they gave up building the project. They faced their personal affairs and abandoned the Lord’s temple. They were living in nice buildings while the temple was in ruins;

Haggai 1:4-5 “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste? Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.”

God further made them realize that the measure of their works was higher than the measure of their gain just because they neglected the most important thing. This neglect resulted into closed heaven and unyielding land;

Haggai 1:9-10 “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.”

Haggai was raised by God to preach wake-up sermons in four stages; renewed vision, holiness of life, courage and faith in God. He rounded up with the Lord’s mind to endorse Zerubbabel as a symbol of authority to the people;

Haggai 2:23 “In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.”

God’s project in our dispensation is care for the needy and the poor, Matt25:31-46; this is Jesus’ standard. Amassing wealth without taking care of the needy is not Jesus’ standard. Your substance is to be used to honor Him by giving out. The ruler thought that he measured up to standard by obeying the law, but when Jesus told him the pre-requisite for perfection before God, he was sorrowful.

Mark 10:21 “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

Jesus loved him and because of the love for him, Jesus had to correct him so that he wouldn’t have followed the law in vain. The man’s wealth had taking over his soul and if he had to follow Jesus, the wealth must be disposed first. No one follows Jesus with material things as the major thing in the heart. Making money to lay treasure for the future is a pitiful phenomenon. Christians should not do that. Christians should be generous in their giving and sharing to the glory of God. It is scriptural to honor God with our substance;

Proverbs 3:9-10 “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Those who don’t give their tithes, offerings and firstfruits are only dishonoring God and, of course, reducing themselves. The scripture says by doing this, i.e. giving, your barns shall be filled with plenty beyond your bargain. If you desire the treasure in heaven, your heart will not be stuck to the treasure on earth which cannot stand the test of time. Be a giver! The Jews had beautiful houses to live in but there was not peace or satisfaction in them just because they abandoned God’s project for their personal business. Consider God first, beloved, and He will consider you first; though His love is unfailing.

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Let us seek for the old path where we could find rest. Let us listen to the trumpet’s sound, wherewith we could escape the calamity to come. Our reading for today is Zechariah1-4. Keep the fire burning and alive.

Pastor Supo Abayode

+1-302-230-6792

Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries

Delaware, USA