Page 79 - The Minor Prophets - Student textbook

away. Why?’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you
is busy with his own house.’” In both verses, judgment was the result of disobeying the Lord. Is this true
in our lives today?

The biblical answer is that there are some times when our struggles are the result of our sin, but not
always. In fact, persecution or suffering can sometimes be the product of serving God. The apostle Paul
wrote to Timothy from a Roman jail, “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be
persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).

In addition, suffering sometimes serves as part of God’s plan for our lives. God said regarding the
apostle Paul, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). James
1:2-4 teaches us to consider it joy when we encounter trials: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you
meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let
steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” The result
of persevering through difficulties is spiritual maturity.

However, there are cases in which we may suffer due to our sin. God does discipline His wayward
children (Hebrews 12:6). Acts 5 contains the account of Ananias and Sapphira, who died as the result of
their deception, even though they were part of the church. Paul said that some of the Corinthians had
been sick and a few had even died due to their sin when partaking of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians
11:30).

The reasons we suffer are varied. It is unwise to jump to conclusions when the reason for a particular
trouble is unclear. For example, sometimes people claim that a certain natural disaster is a judgment
from God on a nation or a city due to its sinfulness. However, God does not tell us why natural disasters
occur when and where they do. Rather than make such judgments, the appropriate Christian responses
are to empathize with those affected (Romans 12:15) and to help meet the needs (Luke 10:25-37).

Haggai 2:9, "'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says
the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

Brief Summary: Will the people of God reconsider their priorities, take courage, and act on the basis of
God's promises? God sought to warn the people to heed His words. Not only did God warn them, but
He also offered promises through His servant Haggai to motivate them to follow Him. Because the
people of God reversed their priorities and failed to put God in first place in their lives, Judah was sent
into Babylonian exile. In response to Daniel's prayer and in fulfillment of God's promises, God directed
Cyrus the Persian king to allow the Jews in exile to go back to Jerusalem. A group of Jews returned to
their land with great joy, put God first in their lives, worshiped Him and began to rebuild the Temple of
Jerusalem without the aid of the local people who lived in Israel. Their courageous faith was met with
opposition from the local people as well as the Persian government for approximately 15 years.

Foreshadowings: As with most of the books of the Minor Prophets, Haggai ends with promises of
restoration and blessing. In the last verse, Haggai 2:23, God uses a distinctly messianic title in reference
to Zerubbabel, “My Servant” (Compare 2 Samuel 3:18; 1 Kings 11:34; Isaiah 42:1–9; Ezekiel 37:24,25).
Through Haggai, God promises to make him like a signet ring, which was a symbol of honor, authority,
and power, somewhat like a king’s scepter used to seal letters and decrees. Zerubbabel, as God’s signet
ring, represents the house of David and the resumption of the messianic line interrupted by the Exile.
Zerubbabel reestablished the Davidic line of kings which would culminate in the millennial reign of

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