Haggai 2

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“Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid” (Haggai 2:4-5 NLT).

December 20, 2022

BE STRONG. GET TO WORK. DON’T BE AFRAID. The Lord gave the prophet Haggai three instructions for the Israelites who had returned from Babylonian captivity. These instructions were to be strong in the Lord, get to work on rebuilding the Temple and don’t be afraid. The Lord had Haggai address this instruction to two Hebrew

“‘If one of you is carrying some meat from a holy sacrifice in his robes and his robe happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or olive oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?’” (Haggai 2:12 NLT).

December 20, 2019

THE TRANSMISSION OF HOLINESS The prophet Haggai asked the Jewish priests two questions concerning the transmission of holiness and impurity. They were experts on such things, so they answered correctly according to the Mosaic Law. Haggai clearly knew the answers to his two questions before he asked, for he was quick to apply the principles

“‘Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’” (Haggai 2:4-5 NKJV).

December 20, 2017

“Be strong. Do the work. Do not fear.”

These are the three instructions the Lord gave to the Israelites who had returned from Babylonian captivity. Zerubbabel was the grandson of Jehoiachin, penultimate king of Judah. He led the first group of captives back to Jerusalem. He and Joshua, the high priest, led the people to rebuild the temple, but the people had been putting their own households first. After rebuilding the foundation years earlier, the temple still lay in ruins. The people had not finished what they had begun. They had become busy with their own homes, putting their own house ahead of the Lord’s.

Perhaps they felt they didn’t have the money or the expertise. Perhaps they feared falling short of the “glory” of Solomon’s Temple (Hag. 2:3). Whatever their reasons, they had stopped working. So, God gave them three instructions: “Be strong. Do the work. Do not fear.” And He gave them one powerful promise: “I am with you.”

He still makes this promise to us today. As the angel told Mary, “Do not fear. The Lord is with you. For nothing is impossible with God!” (Luke 1:28-37).