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It Is Time To Build. Encouragements from Haggai to Finish the Work on God’s House. Background. God’s people returned from Babylonian Captivity c. 538 B.C. (Ezra 1-2) They laid the foundation of the temple c. 536 B.C. (Ezra 3), but soon stopped their work (Ezra 4). Background.
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It Is Time To Build Encouragements from Haggai to Finish the Work on God’s House
Background • God’s people returned from Babylonian Captivity c. 538 B.C. (Ezra 1-2) • They laid the foundation of the temple c. 536 B.C. (Ezra 3), but soon stopped their work (Ezra 4)
Background • Haggai and Zechariah were sent to stir up the people to resume their work c. 520 B.C. (Ezra 5) • The Temple was finished c. 516 B.C. (Ezra 6)
Background • What caused the Lord’s work to stop for sixteen years (Ezra 4:24)? • There was external opposition from non-Jews (Ezra 4:1-5, 24)
Background • There was internal distraction from God’s own people (Haggai 1-2) • God’s people suffered from four things: time, priorities, accomplishments, and uncleanness
Four Hindrances to Work 1. Neglecting time (1:2-5; Eph. 5:16) 2. Misplaced priorities and materialism (1:4, 7-9; Mt. 6:33; Lk. 8:14; 9:57-62; Jn. 4:34; 9:4; 2 Cor. 8:5)
Four Hindrances to Work 3. Resting on past accomplishments (2:3-5; 1 Cor. 15:58) 4. Personal uncleanness (2:11-14; 2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1)
Encouragements • The word of the Lord (1:1, 3; 2:1; etc.) • The Lord’s past punishments (1:6, 9-11; 2:15-19) • God will help (1:13; 2:4)
Encouragements • Be strong and do not fear (2:4) • The leadership is encouraged (2:4-5, 20-23) • The Lord’s future promises (2:5-9, 19b)
Encouragements • Help from Haggai and Zechariah (see Ezra 5:1-2)
What is needed? • Consider (1:5, 7; 2:15, 18) • Go (1:8) • Obedience (1:12) • Fear/reverence (1:12)
What is needed? • Stirring up (1:14)
The Lord’s Work of Building • The time is now to be busy “building” God’s house – the church (1 Cor. 3:10ff; Eph. 4:12,16) • Let us use our time better, reset our priorities, don’t rest on the past, and remain pure