One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Haggai 1:12, “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, 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, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD.” The people hear God’s word, think about it rightly, feel in their hearts appropriately, and turn from their sin. May that be true of us as we encounter God’s word in our lives.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:11, “And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new win, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”

This episode looks at Haggai 1:10, “Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce.” God disciplines his children when we sin. May we turn from sin when we receive corrective discipline, and may we come to love formative discipline. In this, may we find righteousness, holiness, and ultimately life.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:9, “You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.” We get our priorities mixed up, and God’s punishment is actually a grace to wake us up when we need to be awakened to greater realities.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:8, “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.” Repentant minds and hearts overflow into acceptable sacrifices to God. These sacrifices make much of him. May this be true of us.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:7, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.” This verse mirrors verse 5 but in a different sense. Verse 5 looks back in honest reflection at our thoughts, feelings, and actions in order to see the result of those things. Verse 7 calls us to look forward in hopes of changing our thoughts, feelings, and actions by God’s grace. May it be so.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:6, “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.” Not every hardship we experience is a discipline from God, but some of them might be. May we reflect humbly and receive correction when needed.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:5, “Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: consider your ways.” In order to live in right relationship with God, we need to look at our actions and also consider the results of our actions. May God give us clear minds to do this.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:4, “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” God is shocked by how twisted their priorities have become. May he be kind to show us the areas in our lives where we have done the same.

This episode looks at Haggai 1:3, “Then the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet.” In his wisdom God has spoken to us through human servants (as it is inerrantly recorded in the Bible). May we have hearts that listen to God’s response to what we have spoken through our lives and words.