December 18, Reading 2 – Haggai 2

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

Both David’s heir and the High Priest are addressed. It is their responsibility to build the Temple. What was preventing them? What prevents us from building that spiritual house of the Lord? 1 Peter 2:5 We are both kings and priests to God! Revelation 1:6

SJA Notes

* Mighty God, please break open our hard hearts today and put our stubborn wills to flight, that we might read Your word and understand.

“The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.”

The glory of God’s house is a truth that pulses bright and clear through the book of Haggai.

Yesterday we read of God’s jealousy for His house (living stones, His people).

Today we read of the future (latter) glory of His house.

What does this mean for us today?

It is that wonderful vision of glory, our great hope!

In Revelation 21 we read,

“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Who is the bride?

The holy city, new Jerusalem – God’s house!

King Solomon built a by-human-hands temple that was known throughout all the world for its splendour.

(remember the latter glory shall be greater than the former)

Thinking back on our reading through Ezekiel, we see toward the end the vision of a temple not made with human hands.

This holy city, the new Jerusalem that we read of in Revelation, where death shall be nor more – This is God’s house in all its latter glory.

What a wonderful hope this is for us today!

* Merciful Father,

Thank You that we are able to look forward to that day when the glory of Your house will be made clear, a beautiful bride adorned for her husband.

Thank You that there, in the new heavens and the new earth, there will be PEACE.

Amen.

December 17, Reading 2 – Haggai 1

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

This is the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Iran rules from Turkey to Egypt to India. The concern of Haggai is for more than bricks and mortar. However, the physical condition of a church building is a good indicator of the congregation’s spiritual condition.

SJA Notes

* God Above, please show us Your wisdom from Your word today.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways.”

We read here today about the jealousy God has for HIS HOUSE.

Israel asked why God punished the, being very quick to forget the many generations of prophets who warned them of the coming punishment.

God’s answer is clear,

“Why? Declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.”

What is God’s house?

We are reminded that Jesus showed a deeper understanding, that His house is made up of stones that are alive!

In Isaiah 28 we read of Jesus,

“Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: …”

This is our King. The Cornerstone. He is the foundation and the root and the cornerstone and capstone of God’s house (His people).

What then of us?

Haggai tells us of the importance of taking care of God’s house.

In 1 Peter 2 we read,

“… You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, …”

We are living stones, part of God’s house!

So then. What are we doing today to take care of God’s house?

* Gracious Father in Heaven,

Your word is clear – Jesus is the cornerstone of Zion, a living stone rejected by men, but in Your sight chosen and precious.

Thank You that in Jesus we are also living stones making up Your house.

Please teach us how to take care of Your house, and convict us of the importance of doing so.

Amen.