Haggai 1:1-7 (ESV) 1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest: 2 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.” 3 Then the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? 5 Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 6 You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. 7 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. 8 Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord.
Well, we’re diving into Haggai, and right on the doorpost hangs his purpose. Haggai, that prophet, comes in with the Lord’s message, asking, “Is it time for y’all to live in your fancy houses while the Lord’s place is falling apart?”
So here’s what the Lord says, “Haggai 1:3-5” lays it bare—the reason for God’s judgment. It’s selfishness. You care more about your own stuff than God’s stuff. You live in a fancy home while the Lord’s house is a mess. Your priorities are off, and it’s time to reckon with that. Repent! Your roof is fine, but mine’s leaking. Your place is decked out, mine’s a wreck. Yours is shiny with gold; mine’s in ruins. It’s selfishness, and the Lord has had enough.
“You plant a lot, but harvest little; you eat, but never have enough; you drink, but stay thirsty; you put on clothes, but never get warm; and you earn wages, only to put them in a bag with holes.” So says the Lord of hosts: “Consider what you’re doing!” “Haggai 1:6-7” lays it out—priorities affect prosperity. If God and His things aren’t your first priority, nothing in your life will flourish. You’ll never be satisfied.
And remember, we brought nothing into this world, and we can’t take anything out (I Timothy 6:7). Real gain is godliness with contentment (I Timothy 6:6). Godliness is the goal, the top priority. “I want to build Your kingdom, Lord. Your house comes first. Always.”
So, let’s mull over it, let it sink in. Call it a Southern soul’s reflection on Haggai 1:1-7 — Consider Your Ways.