Text: Haggai 2:1-23
After the people of Judah finished their seventy years of exile, because of idolatry, Yahweh returned them to their homeland. Soon they started to rebuild the Temple, the centre of Israel’s life and worship. But the enthusiasm did not last, and the construction ceased. Yahweh sent His prophets Haggai and Zechariah to encourage the people to continue their work. The Lord said they would succeed because He promised to be with them in their efforts.
The preaching of encouragement by the prophets was successful, and the Temple was completed about twenty years after the return.
This is a picture of our own exile due to sin, of how Christ brings us back to
Himself, and of how we are the eternal Temple He is building (Eph.2:19-22). As members of this Temple, we all have work to do in its construction. But we can also apply this lesson to our daily jobs and labors. God has created us all with abilities, and we all are expected to work diligently at the tasks that He sets before us. Worship the Lord in your labors, and give thanks for the opportunity to do them.
Meditate on verse 4. What is God teaching you in this verse?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, encourage and strengthen me in my daily work. Amen.