HAGGAI Speaks
…challenging us to begin rebuilding the temple

Yet has his words of encouragement missed our understanding.

Take a closer look at this with me as Haggai tells us to consider our ways.

Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying,“ Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!“You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. – Haggai 1:3-8 NKJV

On the surface, reading Haggai, it appears that this is about rebuilding the temple (the church building) itself.

When Haggai first spoke years ago…

… after Nebuchadnezzar had utterly destroyed Jerusalem (the place of true worship) and taken its people captive, only to be conquered by Cyrus of Persia who then set the captives free, allowing the people to return…

it became necessary to encourage the people who were discouraged from the opposition they had encountered.

Haggai’s message was two fold – applicable both then and now.

But the meaning for today goes deeper than restoring of brick upon brick.

Yes, the temple needs to be restored. But without getting to the spirit behind the word one can find themselves building incorrectly.

Quote:
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NKJV
End quote

I literally had no idea I would be considering these things.

To think…
All of this is a result of what the Holy Spirit spoke to me before I went into the hospital for surgery on September 16th 2021 (Tishrei 10th – Yom Kippur :The Day of Atonement)

I was led to read John 5:1-9.

I was told to Rise Take up my bed and walk.

I received my blessing definitely as I was drawn to know more about every thing presented in these verses that happened during the very same celebration so many years ago, Yom Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles.

Starting with a desire to know more about the  Sheep Gate, I was sent to Nehemiah who made me start at Ezra first.

I finished reading Ezra and am now reading Nehemiah with opened eyes and ears but apparently I missed something in my reading of Ezra because the Holy Spirit sent me back to Ezra on 9/27/21 and Ezra made me go see Haggai.

So here we are…
And with power Haggai begins to speak

“Consider thy ways”
“Consider thy ways”

I’m listening
For the Spirit is speaking to the congregation.

Initially, as I was reading Haggai, I didn’t know what to think.

My heart’s desire is to do the will of the Lord obediently.

I actually love the church. I enjoy going. I enjoy helping. I love the people of God and literally view them as my brothers and sisters. I dont just say that. They are family to me.

Yet, after all Our Heavenly Father has brought me thru,

knowing without a doubt as I do that HE is real and true,

and being blessed to hear the voice of the Lord spoken to me,

I believe that I am being obedient to what I am hearing in my spirit in reference to returning to in person worship services.

I am not trying to lean to my own understanding. In all my ways I am seeking the Lord and asking for my path to be made straight.

So initially, upon reading Haggai, I began to question, “Did I make a mistake?”

It became a matter of strong prayer.

And then Haggai spoke not once but twice, “consider thy ways, consider thy ways.” (Haggai 1:5, 7)

And that is just what I did.

I considered my ways

I considered my 24hours.

Examining them closely and how I spent it.
I even wrote about the 24 hours we all have sharing it in such a way that others can do the same and look at the same 24 hours and how they spend theirs.

24 hours by Jodi L. Serino-Barbour
Is all about considering thy ways

And what I found is that I did hear correctly – for me.

(Note: what I heard was for me. What you, the reader, will hear, as you consider yourself, is for you. You have to consider thy own ways also. It is an act of disobedience to allow someone else to hear for you once you become old enough to make your own decisions. We are never to put the voice of another over the voice of God Almighty spoken to us. We can consult others; but ultimately, what  God is speaking to our spirit as His spirit bears witness with our own spirit is what we must obey and do.)

I was told “wait on the Lord”
I was told “not yet”
I was reminded to “not push ahead of the Lord” in this matter.
I was reminded to “trust God with all my heart”

Though I believe that I know where I will be attending, and

Though I was allowed to meet and connect with many really nice children of the Most High, in my surroundings

In my spirit I am still hearing

W A I T on the LORD

And

my obedience is first and foremost to the Sovereign Lord.

So why would Haggai say to rebuild the temple? What am I missing here?

What are others missing as they press attendance at the building and for people to come back to the formal setting of gathering while describing the lack of doing so as being something other than what it is – obedience to God’s Word spoken on individual basis to the sheep?

What Haggai said was correct. The temple needs to be rebuilt.

He was inspired of God to speak these things.
Thru Haggai, the Lord was speaking to them and to us.

God’s word is a two edged sword so what Haggai said had meaning for them in his day and it has meaning for us today.

The question is whether or not those who are applying it today are applying it correctly.

Are they missing the meaning for us by applying to us the meaning for them?

“Consider thy ways. Consider thy ways.”

(Do you remember what it means when something is mentioned twice?)

As the Holy spirit was making this verse, found at Haggai 1:6, plain to me, I was told that I was right to discern that it had a double application.

He then tells me that this word is for everyone – the lambs and the sheep. This is for those who still walk in the flesh () and even more so for those who have matured to walk in the spirit ()

I am instructed to present both applications because understanding is what fosters growth.

So here is each point with a partial** practical application that is designed not to give an answer, but to inspire further growth.

**{It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. – Proverbs 25:2 NKJV}

It is important that you read God’s Word where it is inserted. Know that in your personal study you will come across even more scriptures that will apply.  Please share them in the comments indicating what point # and whether it applies to the flesh , the spirit  or both 

( I would love to hear what the Holy Spirit says further to you on each point)…

Begin here…

Point #1 “You have sown much, and bring in little;

 (in the flesh)
Can be seen in how much a person works only to receive a small paycheck that is not enough to pay their bills. They will then take on extra hours so that they can get overtime because they fill that they need more money so live the type of lifestyle they desire and to pay their bills.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. – 1 Timothy 6:10

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Timothy6:10&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/money

. (in the spirit)
You spend a lot of time serving in ministry and volunteering. You give your tithes and offerings in abundance – not just money but time, strength, and resources. But how much time do you spend sitting still in the presence of the Lord allowing the Lord to refill you? Are you operating on fumes? Praying is your talking to God. How much time do you spend listening as God talks to you, His Spirit bearing witness with your spirit through the reading of His Word?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians9:24-27&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/time


Point #2 You eat, but do not have enough;

 (in the flesh)
We are all consumers in this world. How do you consume? Beware of greed.

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. – 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians7:29-31&version=NIV

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. – 1 John 2:15-17

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1John2:15-17&version=NIV

Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes. – Proverbs 27:20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs27:20&version=NIV

All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. – Ecclesiastes 1:8

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes1:8&version=NIV

Everyone’s toil is for their mouth, yet their appetite is never satisfied.What advantage have the wise over fools? What do the poor gain by knowing how to conduct themselves before others?Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. – Ecclesiastes 6:7-9

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes6:7-9&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/greed

. (in the spirit)

Many times we don’t get full because we don’t understand so we constantly take in. We need to be mindful to make sure that we are not binging, gorging, or acting with a lack of self-control because that is not good for us. Many who overeat don’t realize that unconsciously this is done out of fear of not having enough. God is our provider. He is the Sustainer of all life. We need to trust and believe that He got us.

The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. – Proverbs 13:25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs13:25&version=NIV

See also Www.openbible.info/topics/overeating


Point #3 You drink, but you are not filled with drink;

 (in the flesh)
Here I think of reciprocity. We pour out so much and are not receiving back from others what we pour out. But do we also constantly take and don’t give? That can weary a person.

12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:12

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew7:12&version=NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians6:9&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/Reciprocity

. (in the spirit)
There should be fruit. With all of the church services we attend. With all the prayers we receive. With all the scriptures we quote, there should be fruit. We are known by our fruit. If we have no fruit the consequence is that we will be cut off. But if we have fruit we will be pruned so that we can bear more.  We need to make sure that we are bearing fruit and that all we are hearing and learning is not going in one ear and out the

The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry.Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves,and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts.And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’”The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.When evening came, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered.23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:12-25

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark11:12-25&version=NIV

always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. – 2 Timothy 3:7

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Timothy3:7&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/reputation


Point #4 You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;

 (in the flesh)
Here I see selfishness, and selfcenteredness

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. – Proverbs 31:30

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs31:30&version=NIV.

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/selfishness

. (in the spirit)
Here I see one who can quote God’s Word but have no love. They go after the titles and appointments but don’t have the anointing that empowers one to complete the assignments.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.For we know in part and we prophesy in part,but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Corinthians13:1-13&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/motives


Point #5 And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” – Haggai 1:6 NKJV

 (in the flesh)
This would be financial issues. It also gives a nod to one’s character because while your talent will being you before great men, only your character can keep you there.

A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. – Proverbs 18:16,20

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs18:16,20&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/character

 (in the spirit)

I am reminded of the church of Sardis of whom Jesus said that they have a reputation of being rich but in actuality they are poor

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. – Revelation 3:1

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation3:1&version=NIV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ – Matthew 7:21-23

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew7:21-23&version=NIV

See also http://www.openbible.info/topics/bearing_fruit

 (for both)
This is also about being a good steward over what God has given us charge over.

14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them.15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more.17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more.18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags.29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ – Matthew 25:14-30

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew25:14-30&version=NIV

See also possible.info/topics/stewardship

One of the things I noticed is that some of the openbible topics can fit several points. Also there are so many more descriptions for each point but I would have been here forever trying break them all down.

Half the fun of studying is being able to do additional research. So I want to share the wealth. And save some for later for when I go back over this. Yes I caught point #2 on gluttony.

I look forward to comments and additional shares on this post.

Finally I made it to this last one lol

Go up to the mountain
references getting into the presence of God

Bring wood
You need wood to build a fire. You need a fire to offer a sacrifice. But like with Abraham and Isaac, you are not asked to bring something for a sacrifice. You are not asked for a monetary offering. Why? Because you are the offering.

We are to be whole mind, whole heart, and whole souled in our worship of our Heavenly Father

Romans 12:1-2 we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice. Holy and acceptable to our Heavenly Father.

Last point…

And build the house.
This house, this temple, this church that needs to be built is not made of brick and mortar.

Here, regarding the house that we are to build, I will let the scriptures speak for themselves

1 Corinthians 3:9,16-17 we are the temple
Jude 1:20-25 we build by building up our Most Holy Faith

The goal is that we want Our Heavenly Father to be pleased with us and His name be glorified because of us.

People should praise God because of us.

The church as a whole shouldnt be laughed at and ridiculed because of us.

This was the whole issue behind how the book of Ezra ended and why they were all weeping and fasting and sorely grieved.

Their behavior of compromising sullied the name that they should have been glorifying.

The behavior of the people while in captivity was one of compromise.

In addition to compromising by worshipping the false Babylonian idol set up by Nebuchadnezzar ( all but 3 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; Daniel didn’t count because he wasn’t in the area); they also married pagan wives.

What a blemish their behavior left. God was not pleased.

We are at that place now

And God is telling us thru Ezra and Haggai what to do…

Put all of the pagan practices away from us, stop compromising our faith.

It’s not time for us to rebuild brick and mortar. We need to be rebuilding ourselves, building ourselves up on our Most Holy Faith.

Whew! I think I’m now done…
…unless the Holy Spirit says different.

But here it is for you

Today it’s coming from Haggai

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord Almighty.‘The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” – Haggai 2:6-9

Many of you are beginning to go back into the building to have church.

I just want to remind you that you don’t want to try to go back into the building doing the same thing as before.

The glory of the former was good. The music the worship the fellowship the praise. It was good.

But God says that the glory of the latter will be greater.

So if you are trying to “get back to” some resemblance of normalcy, baby honey child you are going to miss it. God is doing something new.

It can’t be church like before.
All that going thru the motions.
All that playing church
All that traditions of men is over.

Now you have to be Be BE the church.

Now mind you…
This is more than words
Somebody ask
“How do you Be the church?”

Welp let’s look at what God says to answer that

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says:If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, and that fold touches some bread or stew, some wine, olive oil or other food, does it become consecrated?’” The priests answered, “No.”

Then Haggai said, “If a person defiled by contact with a dead body touches one of these things, does it become defiled?” “Yes,” the priests replied, “it becomes defiled. ”

Then Haggai said, “‘So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,’ declares the Lord. ‘Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.“‘

Now give careful thought to this from this day on —consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the Lord’s temple.

When anyone came to a heap of twenty measures, there were only ten. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were only twenty.

I struck all the work of your hands with blight, mildew and hail, yet you did not return to me,’ declares the Lord.‘

From this day on, from this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, give careful thought to the day when the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid. Give careful thought:

Is there yet any seed left in the barn? Until now, the vine and the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree have not borne fruit. “‘From this day on I will bless you.’” – Haggai 2:11-19

So check it out
All the things that we have done that we had no business doing

All that living a double life

It’s time out for that.

That stuff flew back in the day but it ain’t going to fly now because now God has taken over.

Now it’s all about being in God’s presence for real. Not for a quick fix high.

God is paying attention to His house and HE is not playing with his people

But that aint all.
It doesn’t stop there

The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:

“Tell Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.

I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.

I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.

“‘On that day,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord , ‘and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” – Haggai 2:20-23

This part is about government.

This is the part that people will probably not want me to say, but I have a responsibility to speak it.

Vs 6-9 deals with the church: the latter will be greater HE says than the former. So if you are trying to “get back to” then you are not going after the greater.

Vs 10-19 explains the difference. It exposes the defiled and what defiles.

Vs.20-23 now deals with the government. God said that He is going to “overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of foreign kingdoms.

What you are seeing here is Daniel 2:44.

He said he is going to “overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall”

He is talking about the military here.

In other words…

What is being missed is this…

When God said that he chose Zerrubbabel and was making him like his signet ring He was talking about Jesus.

What you are seeing is that things are getting ready to change, to shift.

Those of you who fussed Trump and Biden, keep watching what God is getting ready to do.

For those of you who chose to support man and separate from one another and get caught up in the governments of this world, omg get ready. Take a good look at all that you are seeing around you. It’s getting ready to change.

Ok and here is what I want to remind everyone of

God said that the judgment will start with his house first.

We see the changes that has happened in the church. But get this what makes you think that it stops there. The Government is God’s house too.

Jesus is both King (government) and Priest in the manner of Melchizedek.

Both houses are being called to order.

With the government it has already started and it’s so slow and subtle that many are overlooking it. But a shift is happening.

Ooo

Lol

And I can’t remember where the scripture is that said that the blind will be dragged along too lol.

Its too dark in the car for me to try to find it. But when I get a chance I will. Lol

I got to go for now.