Haggai 1:1-2:23 ~ Revelation 11:1-19 ~ Psalm 139:1-24 ~ Proverbs 30:15-16
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Old Testament - Today we start and finish the book of the prophet Haggai! This is the second shortest book in the Old Testament, with Obadiah being the shortest. This short book does have a lot to offer! Haggai prophesied in 520 B.C. about 18 years after the Jews had returned from exile in Babylon in 538 B.C. When Cyrus, king of Persia, conquered Babylon, he issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and to rebuild the temple. About 50,000 Jews returned to Jerusalem and began building the temple's foundation in 538 B.C. under the leadership of Zerubbabel. However, neighboring nations were alarmed by the rebuilding of the temple and politically stopped the progress in 536 B.C. Here is where the story picks up with the prophet Haggai encouraging the process of the temple rebuilding to commence. A good overview of the book of the prophet Haggai is online at bible.org at this link. Below is an image of Haggai telling the people to repair the Temple from a 14th century illuminated Bible:
Today in Haggai chapter 1 verse 3 we read: "So the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?" What stands out in my mind when reading this verse is the concept of tithing. Check out this amazing verse in Malachi 3:10 on tithing (which we’ll read on December 31st) - "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." It is very rare in the Bible that God says "test me" and follows it up with an incredible promise of a blessing. Will you test God with a tithe to your church, ministries, and nonprofits this next year?
Chapter 1 verse 8 is a strong one for us to consider as well: "Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD." I think the key word in this verse is the very small but very powerful - Go. Go.... Where in your life is God calling you to go? Is there something God is calling you do to? If you are obedient in this calling, do you believe it will bring pleasure to God? Will you go?
Okay, I know I've been talking about a lot of obedience in this post today... I'll close out here with a great verse of a promise of a blessing from God for obedience, from Haggai chapter 3 verse 19: "I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn, before you have harvested your grain and before the grapevine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have produced their crops. From this day onward I will bless you." Below is a Greek icon of the prophet Haggai from the 18th century:
New Testament - Today in Revelation chapter 11 we read about the Two Witnesses and the Seventh Trumpet bringing the third terror! The two witnesses in today's reading are modeled after Moses and Elijah. They may be representing two actual believers who will be martyred or they may be symbolic of all testifying believers in the final days. Below are two incredible pieces of artwork from Pat Marvenko Smith of the two witnesses prophesying and being taken up to heaven:
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
Art used by permission by Pat Marvenko Smith, copyright 1992.
To order prints visit her "Revelation Illustrated" site.
In verse 11:7 we have the first mention of the beast in the book of Revelation - the enemy that comes from the bottomless pit and wages war in the hearts and lives of men and women. In verse 11:8 allowing dead bodies to lie out in the street is a major violation of decency. In verse 15 things begin to shift in big ways as we read: "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: "The whole world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever."" Is the whole world now part of the kingdom of God? What are some examples of why or why not?
Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Revelation chapter 11 titled "The Temple, the Two Witnesses, and the Seventh Trumpet" is at this link.
Psalms - Today we read Psalm 139! I LOVE this Psalm... and had somehow forgotten about it. Is this Psalm anyone's favorite Psalm out there? I would not doubt it if was. This is just an incredibly beautiful Psalm about how much God loves and cares for us. And just how well God knows us. Please read and re-read this Psalm this week if you can. And rejoice in how much God loves you and how much he knows you. Each of the verses in this Psalm are incredible. I'll highlight a few. Verse 3 - "You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am." Do you believe that God charts out your path for you? Do you believe that God gives you true rest? Do you believe God knows where you are every single moment of your life?
Verses 13 & 14 - "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--and how well I know it." Do you believe that God was loving and caring and creating you in your mother's womb? Are you amazed by the complexity and wonder of the human body? Could it be anything other than the marvelous workmanship of a loving and creative and living God? (next two images below courtesy of heartlight.org)
And verses 23 & 24 to close out the Psalm: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Do you consistently ask God to search your heart and mind? Do you confess to God what is not right in your heart and mind? What needs healing? Do you ask God to even point out to you things that you may not realize are destructive to you and others in your heart and mind? Do you believe that this process of confessing your sins to God and asking for forgiveness and healing will lead you along the path of everlasting life?
Proverbs - Proverbs 30 verses 15 & 16 today tells us: "The leech has two suckers that cry out, "More, more!" There are three other things--no, four!--that are never satisfied: the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing fire." The "grave" is a reminder to each of us that this earthly life is temporary... An old saying goes - "no one gets out of here alive." I don't think this saying took into account heaven - but you get the point for this earthly life. What are you investing your temporary earthly life in? What is God calling you to do with your life? In 2010, will you live joyously to love and serve others and God?
YouTube - Today's readings in Haggai remind me of the David Crowder song "O Praise Him:"
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture this week: "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
Comments from you: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
Haggai is awesome! One, because our church is currently in a campaign to expand and build a Children's building and also a branch location. Our pastor has referred to these verses many times. My personal thoughts on the full tithe are this...it's all God's anyway...and he's only asking for 1 out of 10! That's pretty generous! He wants us to have all 9!!! When I first was saved, I didn't understand tithing...it was not something that was discussed in my previous church...so I was a bit leary about giving up my shopping money! :) But I must tell this story...I hope it will bless you all...when God allowed me to fully understand tithing, I prayed and asked exactly for what He wanted me to start giving. He layed an amount on my heart and I freaked! It was more than I had expected and I wasn't sure how I could do it. But I decided to give it a try. About 2 months later, I received a raise at work that was for the exact amount that God had told me to give! It was one of the first times I saw God provide like that for me...I never looked back when it came to tithes and offerings again...God is faithful!!! He is our Great Provider!!!
Yes!!! Psalm 139 is my abslolute favorite. It always reminds me that I'm no surprise to God! He knew what He was getting when He got me! All my junk, He knew it...all my actions, He knew it...NOTHING is a surprise to Him! Yet He still loves us more than we can imagine!
In Rev 11:15 - about the world becoming the Kingdom of our Lord...you ask a great question...Is the whole world now part of the kingdom of God? Scripture says that the world NOW belongs to Satan. He is the ruler of the earth...it's mentioned several times in other verses (John 14:30, 2 Cor. 4:4, Rev. 2:13 and 1 John 5:19). But we know that Satan's rule is very much a temorary thing!!! In verse 15 we read that the world BECOMES the Kingdom of our Lord...He takes the earth back and Satan will finally have no more power over it!!! I don't know about any of you, but I can't wait to see that day!!!
Posted by: Gina | December 19, 2009 at 09:13 PM
I have been thinking about the nature of faith we have in God as our Savior and Sustainer. John Piper had a recent article about God always initiating (moving first) in our lives. He never leaves us without what we need. He moves first, then we respond to him.
Haggai 1 reminded me of this once again.
14 So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God,
Note how the Lord stirred up the spirit of his people. God provided what was required, ... just in time. So if God initiates just in time, what should my faith look like? What kind of confidence should I have in God? Whatever God brings into my life, will He provide the energy, wisdom, power, money, and right words to bring the outcomes that He desires? What an awesome God. What great gifts He showers on us.
Just as God moved the spirits of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the whole people, He will move first in the lives of those He has chosen today, who humbly seek His face. The way God works in our lives brings me great joy and confidence in Him.
Posted by: Gary | December 20, 2009 at 07:02 AM