Click or tap book name
Use <control> drag to
scroll
Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
About
Links
Home
"
Navigator
Haggai 1:12
Comments
‘Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet.’ We are not used to reading that of the Jews of old, are we? We are used to reading in the Bible that decades and centuries go past, with no response to the voice of the prophets. But this prophet of few words seems to get an instant response by the power of God. The consciences of the people have been touched, and they know what they must do, and do it without delay.‘And the people did fear before the LORD.’ All the prophets had a divine authority about them, but it is particularly mentioned here as true of Haggai: he spoke as from the Lord, and the people were filled with awe for God. They saw him as a prophet sent from God, so that what he said was what the Lord was saying directly to them. How could they not do what God said so clearly? They feared. They woke up to the reality of the living God. He was dealing with them and he was watching how they would respond. God was not cruel or unkind, but he held back blessing to bring them to their senses.
Application
We have to avoid distraction, languishing of effort; we have to stop blaming natural causes. Why do people delay in obeying God? Because they do not really believe that it is the Lord speaking to them, because there is still compromise deep within them. The only proper response to the word of God is to obey it immediately, not to make God wait until we are ready.
Questions
Outline
Purpose
Introduction