Class Lesson January 27, 2013

Hey Gang,

Quick review of our Minor Prophets and their messages:

Assyrian Empire  -  Babylonian Empire  -  Persian Empire

722 B.C. - 420 B.C.

Nahum: Message of Judgment (Rebellion: God will punish rebellion – especially when it is arrogant and prideful.) between 663 – 612 B.C.

• Written to the people of Nineveh and Judah.
• Reason was to pronounce God’s judgment on Assyria and to comfort Judah with this truth.
• Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, is the subject of Nahum’s prophecy. The news of its coming destruction was a relief for Judah, who was subject to Assyrian domination. They would no longer be forced to pay tribute as insurance against invasions. Judah was comforted to know that God was still in control. Nineveh is an example to all rulers and nations of the world today. God is sovereign over even those who are seemingly invincible.

Habakkuk: Message of Faithfulness (Doubt: When we don’t understand why things are happening the way they are and what God is doing.) between 612 – 588 B.C.

• Written to Judah and God’s people everywhere.
• Reason was to show that God is still in control of the world despite the apparent triumph of evil. Babylon will over thrown the Assyrians and become the new world power. In 586 they will destroy Judah.
• Habakkuk was one when troubled to bring his concerns directly to God. After receiving God’s answers, he responded with a prayer of faith. Habakkuk’s example is one that should encourage us as we struggle to move from doubt to faith. We don’t have to be afraid to ask questions of God. The problem is not with God and His ways, but with our limited understanding of Him. It may seem, God says, as though the wicked triumph, but eventually they will be judged, and the righteousness will prevail.

Obadiah: Message of God’s Justice (Indifference: God will also judge and punish indifference especially when it’s motivated by pride and arrogance.) between 627 – 586 B.C.

• Written to the Edomites, the Jews in Judah and God’s people everywhere.
• Reason to show that God judges those who have harmed His people. Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.
• The book of Obadiah shows the outcome of the ancient feud between Edom and Israel. (Esau & Jacob) Edom was proud of its high position, but God would bring her down. Those who are high and powerful today should not be overconfident in themselves, whether they are a nation, a corporation, a church, or a family. Just as Edom was destroyed for its pride, so will anyone who lives in defiance of God.

Haggai: Message of Hope (Wrong Priorities: God will bless us when He is first in our priorities.) 520 B.C.

• Written to the people living in Jerusalem and those who had returned from exile.
• Reason to call people to complete the rebuilding of the temple. When the exiles first returned from Babylon, they set about rebuilding the temple right away. Although they began with the right attitudes, they slipped back into wrong behavior, and the work came to a standstill. In the same way, we need to be on our guard to keep our priorities straight. Remain active in your service to God and continue to put first things first.

How do you decide what your priorities are in life?

The Bible says that everything we do matters to God and everything is an opportunity to honor or deny Him. We should seek ways to honor God in the mundane as well as the marvelous.

This lesson is about the hope we have by ordering our priorities according to God’s agenda.

It’s easy to become enamored with our own pursuits, or something we think God wants us to do, and miss what God actually wants us to do. When we pursue God’s agenda, we experience His fulfillment and blessing.


Haggai was the first of the post-exilic prophets. The other two were Zechariah and Malachi.


In 586 B.C., the armies of Babylon had destroyed the temple in Jerusalem – God’s house, the symbol of His presence with them. In 538 B.C. King Cyrus decreed that Jews could return to their beloved city and rebuild the temple. So they traveled to Jerusalem and began the work. But then they forgot their purpose and lost their priorities, as opposition and apathy brought the work to a standstill. The people were more concerned with their own needs than with doing God’s will, and as a result, they suffered. Haggai’s message, “get back to doing God’s work.” Get your priorities straight.

I. A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES – HAGGAI 1:2-9

2 “The Lord of Hosts says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.” 3 The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5 Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways: 6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.” 7 The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways. 8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house. Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it. Why?” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. “Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.

Why was rebuilding the temple so important?

• Symbolized the people were surrendered to God.

Why do you think the returning Jews didn’t rebuild the house of the Lord? Why leave it in ruins? Were they trying to please God or not?

• What are some reasons they might have said the time had not come?
• Wisdom comes when we pursue God’s steps and agenda, instead of self-focused priorities.
• The people were getting on with their lives, far beyond their houses. They didn’t have to stop building houses to build a worship center. Why would they ignore this?
• Sadly, they had pushed God to the side and compartmentalized faith. You could say that they had put God in the trunk of their car only to let Him out when they needed help. This is a sad truth for us today as well. Do we really think we are in control of everything?
• God can see through any excuses. God let the people’s actions run their course. They toiled without His blessing. That yields poor results.
• Busyness can make us feel important and significant. Yet, it crowds out relationships, like God and those we should be close to.

What do you say to someone who says sometimes I get so busy with my activities that I don’t pay attention to what God wants me to do with that day?

• My day will be better if I listen to God’s guidance for that day and those tasks.
• 1:3-6 God asked His people how they could live in luxury when His house was lying in ruins. The temple was the focal point of Judah’s relationship with God, but it was still demolished. Instead of rebuilding the temple, the people put their energies into beautifying their own homes. However, the harder the people worked for themselves, the less they had, because they ignored their spiritual lives. The same happens to us. If we put God first, He will provide for our deepest needs. If we put Him in any other place, all our efforts will be futile. Caring only for your physical needs while ignoring your relationship with God will lead to ruin.
• 1:6 Because the people had not given God first place in their lives, their work was not fruitful or productive, and their material possessions did not satisfy. While they concentrated on building and beautifying their own homes, God’s blessing was withheld because they no longer put Him in first place. Moses had predicted this would be the result if the people neglected God (Deuteronomy 28:38-45).

What would you say to someone who says, I don’t really care about God’s plans for my life, because my guess is He has no plans for me?

• God does care about the simple things; and the simple things add up to big things.

What would you say to someone who feels this way; I don’t always give God top priority in my life because He let me down a long time ago?

• When I seek God’s plans for me, I know I will experience His fulfillment and blessing. I will also know what to do and when to do it.
• 1:9 Judah’s problem was confused priorities. Like Judah, our priorities involving occupation, family, and God’s work are often confused. Jobs, homes, vacations, and leisure activities may rank higher on our list of importance than God. What is most important to you? Where is God on your list of priorities? 1:11 Grain, grapes for wine, and olives for oil were Israel’s major crops. The people depended on these for security while neglecting the worship of God. As a result, God would send a drought to destroy their livelihood and call them back to Himself. 1:14, 15 The people began rebuilding the temple just 23 days after Haggai’s first message.

II. WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT – HAGGAI 2:4-5, 9

4 Even so, be strong, Zerubbabel”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Work! For I am with you”—the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. 5 “This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt, and My Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.”

9 “The final glory of this house will be greater than the first,” says the Lord of Hosts. “I will provide peace in this place”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.




2:1-9 This is Haggai’s second message. It was given during the Feast of Tabernacles in October, 520 B.C. The older people could remember the beauty of Solomon’s temple, destroyed 66 years earlier. Many were discouraged because they felt that the rebuilt temple was inferior to Solomon’s. But Haggai encouraged them with God’s message that the glory of this temple would surpass that of its predecessor. The most important part of the temple is God’s presence. Some 500 years later, Jesus Christ would walk in the temple courts.



What words of encouragement do you find in these words from God?

• The best reason to work is because the cause is great and God is involved in the process.
• We can see and appreciate godly leaders whether they have an official position or not.
• God spoke also of a future glory. This would ultimately be in the coming of Jesus. He became the indestructible temple!

What would you say to someone that says, sometimes I do get discouraged in doing God’s work, and so I just move on to something else?

• When I put God first, all the other priorities fall into place. Even when I get discouraged, I can count on God’s presence and power.

Can you describe a time God gave you a word of encouragement? Did it come through a Bible verse, a person, or another way?

• When we receive encouragement, it is easier to do our tasks.
• For those who feel like they’ve never heard an encouraging word from the Lord, be thoughtful. Because you might not know who these persons are, explain that words of encouragement come often through Bible verses. That is God’s message to each of us. So we all receive His personal words.
• Stress ways we can encourage others rather than whine that we aren’t loved well enough.

2:4 “Be strong … and work. For I am with you.” Judah’s people had returned to worshiping God, and God had promised to bless their efforts. But it was time for them to work. We must be people of prayer, Bible study, and worship – but eventually we must get out and do what God has in mind for us. He wants to change the world through us. God has given you a job to do in the church, at your place of employment, and at home. The time has come to be strong and work because God is with you.


2:5 The Israelites had been led from captivity in Egypt to their promised land. They were God’s chosen people, guided and cared for by His Holy Spirit. Although God had punished them for their sins, He kept His promise and never left them (Exodus 29:45-46). No matter what difficulties we face or how frustrating our work may be, God’s Spirit is with us.

If God is with me, then don't I have all I need in life? Is God with you today? Is He your Lord? Is He your priority?

• Matthew 6:33
• Ephesians 3:20

How does the rebuilding of the temple relate to each of us Spiritually?

• Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

III. A PROMISE OF PROTECTION – HAGGAI 2:18-19, 23

18 “Consider carefully from this day forward; from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid; consider it carefully. 19 Is there still seed left in the granary? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.”


23 On that day”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts—“I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.




What promise did God offer to those who chose to pursue His priorities? How have you seen this to be true in your own life?

• God gives priorities and instructions because they work. He is giving us the inside scoop on how to do life well.
• This care and attention was not solely in the future. God promised immediate care. At the same time, we are part of a bigger picture so some blessings may take a while in coming.

2:18-19 The people relaid the temple foundation, and immediately God blessed them. He did not wait for the project to be completed. God often sends His encouragement and approval with our first few obedient steps. He is eager to bless us!



2:20-23 Haggai’s message is addressed to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah.


2:23 A signet ring was used to guarantee the authority and authenticity of a letter. It served as a signature when pressed in soft wax on a written document. God was reaffirming and guaranteeing His promise of a Messiah through David’s line (Matthew 1:12).


2:23 God closed His message to Zerubbabel with this tremendous affirmation: “I have chosen you.” Such a proclamation is ours as well – each of us has been chosen by God (Ephesians 1:4). This truth should make us see our value in God’s eyes and motivate us to work for Him. When you feel down, remind yourself, “God has chosen me!”



Now for many of us we know we should obey God, but we don’t always do it. Haggai makes it pretty clear that obeying God is much smarter than ignoring Him. Haggai’s message to the people sought to get their priorities straight, help them quit worrying, and motivate them to rebuild the temple. Like them, we often place a higher priority on our personal comfort than on God’s work and true worship. But God is pleased and promises strength and guidance when we give Him first place in our lives.

God is not honored by good intentions, he is honored by action!

Do you have any unfinished projects that God called you to do? How will you accomplish them now?

• It simply pulls the life out of us to be caught up in things or with people who are not of God.
• Obeying God in all things may not feel, intuitively, the right thing to do. Yet, putting God first will always draw you towards a place of blessing and togetherness.
• Haggai is a unique book that challenges us to find hope by reordering our priorities according to God’s plans and opportunities.

How sad it is to have no hope. True hope is a product of a relationship with the Lord, living in commitment to His purposes, and devoted to His agenda. Those who hope in the Lord have strength for today and the promise of tomorrow in eternity of God.

Life Goal

Find hope by reordering priorities, conforming them to God’s agenda.

 

Prayer of Commitment

Dear Lord, thank You for the hope we have in You when we embrace and live according to godly priorities. We claim that hope today with keen anticipation of it being completely fulfilled in Your tomorrow. Amen.

Be in prayer this week as we close this series out for how God has been speaking to you through these minor prophets of the Old Testament - is their message so old and are they only speaking to the nation of Israel?

Looking forward to seeing you this Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan