"Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?" (Hag. 1:4)
The burst of energy described in Ezra did not last long. Opposition soon arose among the tribes bordering Israel, who did not look kindly on the resurgence of a traditional enemy. The temple project especially alarmed them, in view of all the stories they had heard about the miraculous power of Israel's God. And surely, they reasoned, a rebuilt temple would only inflame the Israelites' religious zeal. Even Israel's protector, Persia, began to waver on its promises to the Jews.
In the face of this stiff opposition, the Jews lost enthusiasm, or rather redirected their enthusiasm toward other projects. Just a few years after the exiles' return, work on the temple ground to a halt. The Jews began to concentrate instead on building their own homes and regaining their former prosperity. They had forgotten the original motive for returning to Jerusalem.
About twenty years after the first migration, a prophet named Haggai appeared in Jerusalem to confront the growing apathy and confusion. He did not rage like Jeremiah or act out public object lessons like Ezekiel. He simply urged these pioneers to give careful thought to their situation.
Haggai put things simply and logically. The settlers had worked hard, but what had it earned them? Their crops were unsuccessful. Their money disappeared as soon as they earned it. Haggai's diagnosis: mistaken priorities. The Israelites needed to put God first, and for starters that meant rebuilding his temple. God's reputation was at stake. If the temple symbolized God's presence, how could he be properly honored when his house lay in ruins?
Amazingly, Haggai struck an immediate chord of response in his audience. Prophets before him, such as Amos, Isaiah, or Jeremiah, had spoken for decades without seeing such a heartfelt reaction.
Life Question: What tends to distract us from spiritual priorities?
