“Consider your ways”: Haggai’s Prophecy (Study 2 of 2)

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““Consider your Consider your ways”:ways”:

Haggai’s Prophecy (Study Haggai’s Prophecy (Study 2 of 2)2 of 2)

Laindon Bible Class23rd January 2008

Our two studies (God willing)Our two studies (God willing)

Messages 1 & 2Messages 1 & 2:: A call to arouse is

heeded

Chapter 1

Messages 1 & 2Messages 1 & 2:: A call to arouse is

heeded

Chapter 1

Prologue / IntroductionPrologue / IntroductionMessages 3,4 & Messages 3,4 &

55:: Further encouragement and admonition

Chapter 2

Messages 3,4 & Messages 3,4 & 55:: Further

encouragement and admonition

Chapter 2

Epilogue / ConclusionEpilogue / Conclusion

What we have learnt so far…What we have learnt so far…

Prophecy – future prediction and Divine instruction 2 x “Consider your ways” – Heb. ‘Set your heart…’ God and His house must come first in life of believer Prophecy given post exile, c.520 B.C., over 4 months Haggai’s pivotal role in energising the people 5 messages (2 in chapter 1, 3 in chapter 2) People’s energy focused on own houses not LORD’s God’s blessings had been withheld (unbeknown) The need to glorify and give pleasure to the LORD 23 days later, action taken, a leader-led initiative Desperate situation reversed “I am with you” (ch.1v13)

Messages three, four and fiveMessages three, four and five

TimingRecipient(s)

Contained in verses

Message

1st Day, 6th Month

Ze. + Jo. then also people

Ch. 1v1-11OneTo rouse

24th Day,6th Month

Ze. + Jo. and people

Ch. 1v12-15

TwoTo commend

21st Day,7th Month

Ze. + Jo. and people

Ch. 2v1-9ThreeTo encourage

24th Day,9th Month

PriestsCh. 2v10-19

Four To confirm

24th Day, 9th Month

ZerubbabelCh. 2v20-23

FiveTo assure

Exhortational focus

Prophetic focus

A significant timing – 21A significant timing – 21stst Day, Day, 77thth Month Month

This was the final day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23v34-36), also know as Feast of Ingathering

Its timing aligned with the fruit (esp. grape) harvest

It involved the construction of tabernacles or booths and points forward to the Kingdom age (see Revelation 21v3, Zechariah 14v16)

Haggai 2v11 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,

God’s purpose works in phases: There have been different stages of the LORD’s house (including one yet to come)<Chapter 2, Verse 1> <Message 3>

The former and the latter house The former and the latter house comparedcompared

Note: “this house”, in God’s eyes the same house continues Had Haggai seen the “first glory” (any that had 75+ years old)? To comfort disappointed, given future vision of greater things…

Haggai 2v2-32 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying, 3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?

Haggai 2v9 <Future house>9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

<Chapter 2, Verses 2-3> <Message 3>

A three-fold utterance – “be A three-fold utterance – “be strong”strong”

A repeated phrase at key times in Israel’s history, e.g.

Moses/Joshua (1), David/Solomon (2), Hezekiah (3), Post-exile (4)

It is only through absolute determination that the victory can be won, there can be no ‘half measures’…

Are we remaining resolute to the end?

Haggai 2v4-54 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts: 5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.

(1) Deut. 31v6,7,23; Josh. 1v6,7,9,18,10v25 (2) 1 Kin. 2v2; 1 Chr. 22v13,28v10,20 (3) 2 Chr. 32v7 (4) Zech. 8v9,13

<Chapter 2, Verses 4-5> <Message 3>

The great shaking – introducedThe great shaking – introduced

The stages of “emendation” (Brother John Thomas)

A dramatic change is required, therefore the scriptures often use the figure of an earthquake (e.g. Revelation 16v17-18)

This will be both a literal and a symbolic upheaval in the world (physical changes, political changes)

Haggai 2v6-76 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

<Chapter 2, Verses 6-7> <Message 3>

The great shaking – explained, The great shaking – explained, part onepart one

Hebrews 12v26-2826 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Haggai 2v66 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

The New Testament explains the Old TestamentThe New Testament explains the Old Testament• Main theme of Hebrews is passing away of Mosaic order (e.g. ch. 1v10-12, 8v13, 9v26). Hence, this heavens and earth = Jewish commonwealth (as Deut. 32v1, Jer. 4v23) = AD70• “Things… made” = temple & ordinances (Heb. 9v1-2,11)• “Things… cannot be shaken” = God’s laws (Matt. 24v35)

?<Chapter 2, Verses 6-7> <Message 3>

The great shaking – explained, The great shaking – explained, part twopart two

Haggai 2v66 … I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; 7 And I will shake all nations …

A Divine Plan with Two PhasesA Divine Plan with Two Phases• “The sea, and the dry land”, a reference to judgments to be meted out on the Gentiles / Heathen (“all nations”)• “Sea” of (Gentile) nations a scriptural symbol, e.g. Isa. 60v5• Mid-sentence split as with Isa. 61v2 cp. Luke 4v19-20• Haggai 2 therefore covers two phases (as with the Olivet Prophecy recorded in Luke 21, covering AD70 and the Future)

Haggai 2v21-2221 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; 22 And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

<Chapter 2, Verses 6-7> <Message 3>

AD70

Future

The great shaking – “a little The great shaking – “a little while”while”

It is only “a little while” in the context of the whole plan and purpose of God!Psalm 90v22 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

2 Peter 3v7-97 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

<Chapter 2, Verses 6-7> <Message 3>

““The things desired of all The things desired of all nations” (RV)nations” (RV)

Haggai 2v7 (RV mg.)7 and I will shake all nations, and the things desired of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

LXX “the choice things of all the nations”Ta eklekta panton ton ethnon

Eklekta is undeniably linked to the Greek from which “elect” is derived in the NT (e.g. Luke 18v7 “elect” = eklektos)

I will fill this house with glory – God manifestation(perhaps reference to the bride, Rev. 21v9-11)

Plural

Singular

<Chapter 2, Verses 6-7> <Message 3>

The LORD’s silver and His goldThe LORD’s silver and His gold

Haggai 2v88 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.I.I. The Wealth of the Gentiles to be The Wealth of the Gentiles to be

brought to Jerusalembrought to Jerusalem

• Isaiah 60v5-6 [mg. “forces” = ‘wealth’]

• Isaiah 61v6

II.II. The Redeemed and those of The Redeemed and those of Tried Faith, God’s treasureTried Faith, God’s treasure

• Malachi 3v17

• 1 Peter 2v9 / Deuteronomy 7v6 [lit. ‘special treasure’]

2 Timothy 2v20-2120 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.<Chapter 2, Verses 8-9> <Message 3>

A message to the Priests – A message to the Priests – clean / uncleanclean / unclean

The effects of uncleanness are more pervasive than the effects of holiness (contact with holy things does not make us holy, but contact with unclean does sully)

A reference to the sin offering (Leviticus 6v27) and ceremonial uncleanness (Numbers 19v22) [diagram]

Haggai 2v11-1311 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. 13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

<Chapter 2, Verse 10-14> <Message 4>

More self-examination More self-examination required…required…

Once again, the people’s attention is drawn towards their previous position (outside of God’s favour)

The situation now turned around, from… “I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail”

(v.17) <to> “from this day will I bless you” (v.19)

Care must be taken not to return! (2 Peter 2v20-22)

Haggai 2v15,1815 And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD: … 18 Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD's temple was laid, consider it.

<Chapter 2, Verse 15-19> <Message 4>

The signet of delegated The signet of delegated authorityauthority

The signet imbued its holder with all of the authority of its originator (Genesis 41v42, Esther 3v10/12)

Jesus’ heavenly authority (Matthew 21v23-27) Jesus “my servant” e.g. Isaiah 42v1 Interesting: Zerubbabel had a guardian

who was not his real father (last study) Jesus “chosen” e.g. Matthew 12v18

Haggai 2v2323 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.

<Chapter 2, Verse 20-23> <Message 5>

Lessons & conclusion of our two Lessons & conclusion of our two studiesstudies

Messages 1 & 2:A call to arouse is

heeded

Chapter 1

Messages 1 & 2Messages 1 & 2::A call to arouse is

heeded

Chapter 1

Prologue / I ntroductionPrologue / I ntroduction

Messages 1 & 2:A call to arouse is

heeded

Chapter 1

Messages 1 & 2Messages 1 & 2::A call to arouse is

heeded

Chapter 1

Prologue / I ntroductionPrologue / I ntroductionMessages 3,4 & 5:

Further encouragement and

admonition

Chapter 2

Messages 3,4 & 5Messages 3,4 & 5::Further

encouragement and admonition

Chapter 2

Epilogue / ConclusionEpilogue / Conclusion

Messages 3,4 & 5:Further

encouragement and admonition

Chapter 2

Messages 3,4 & 5Messages 3,4 & 5::Further

encouragement and admonition

Chapter 2

Epilogue / ConclusionEpilogue / Conclusion

It all comes down to our priorities…

We need to regularly consider these to

remain on the right track…

It is all too easy to build up our own houses

to the exclusion of the House of the LORD…

There is fairness – what we sow is what we

will reap…

We can only survive the great shaking yet to

come if we build upon a rock…

Holiness and Uncleanness (Msg Holiness and Uncleanness (Msg 4)4)

Sin Offering = Holy

Touches Priest’s garments = Holy

No further effects

Dead body = Unclean

Anything touched = Unclean

Anything touched by that = Unclean

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