Sermon post: Haggai 2:1-9 (the weepers and the woohooers)

 


Haggai first speaks to the leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, in 1:1.  The leaders shift from following what "they say" (its not the right time) to what the "LORD of hosts" says and therefore after 24 days and after a 16 year work stoppage, the leaders pick up their tools.  1.12 shows that the remnant also join them in the effort.

Haggai then speaks to the leaders and the remnant in 2.1.   He narrows down his message to the weepers in the group.  There was a segment of the group that remembered what Solomon's temple looked like and from the looks of things, this temple was not going to be anything like that one.  Referring back to the book of Ezra, some were weeping while others were woohooing!  (I know that is not a word.)

I love looking back.  Those were really good times.  But we who remember and were a part of those good times need to "yet now be strong..., work..., and fear not" (2.4-5).  We need to advance forward so we don't get stuck in the past or miss out on what God is accomplishing at this very moment.  We also need to be reminded like the people of God of Haggai's day, that there is a greater glory coming!

We are not to be fearful because we weepers and the ones who have seen God shake heaven and earth and we have sensed His Spirit "with us."  We can point to those events in the past as fuel to point to what God has promised for the future.  God says that the best days are yet to come!

Who are you listening to?  they say or the LORD of hosts

What is our commanded assignment?  our temple is to make disciples

What keeps us going forward?  God's promises and provisions

Can't wait to see what Haggai says next!  Let's go from weeping to woohooing!!!

Adam



A simple man serving a great God and the local pastor of Stillwater Community Chapel (stillwater-chapel.org). We are in our 38th year of full time ministry. God directed us to this local body of believers on the Western Range of the Rockies to grow with them in mission and mindedness of Christ.

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