|
Haggai, Prophet to JudahDear Parents,
Thank you for continuing this journey of The Gospel Project® for Kids. At last! God’s people returned to Jerusalem, the home of their ancestors. Many of God’s people had been born in Babylon, and life in exile was the only reality they knew. Life in Judah wasn’t exactly what they had imagined. It was difficult. Their national wealth was gone. The work of rebuilding the temple and the city of Jerusalem was hard. The land was desolate, and crops failed. Their neighbors opposed their efforts. (See Ezra 4:6,11-16.) God’s people were disappointed and discouraged. Their enemies forced them to stop building and, rather than fight them, God’s people gave up. The temple of the Lord sat unfinished for 16 years. If that was what God wanted, wouldn’t He make it easier for them? (See Hag. 1:2.) The prophet Haggai stepped onto the scene and brought words from the Lord, commanding them to finish the work they started. God promised to fill the temple with His glory, and comforted His weary people with this promise: “I will provide peace in this place” (Hag. 2:7,9). God’s people struggled to do what God wanted them to do. God chose Zerubbabel to help the people finish the temple. Zerubbabel was the descendant of King David, and an earthly ancestor of Jesus. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to do God’s will. Jesus died and rose again to free us from sin so that we can do His will. |
|
|
Haggai, Prophet to Judah
Haggai 1–2
After living in Babylon for 70 years, God’s people were home!
A group had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple. They had started the work, but their neighbors didn’t want them to rebuild the temple, so they stopped building. The people made excuses. “Maybe it isn’t the right time to rebuild the temple,” they said. They thought that because the task was dif cult, maybe God didn’t want them to do it.
Instead, the people worked on their own houses. They built nice houses for themselves, but God’s temple sat un nished. This made God angry. God wants His people to put Him first. God sent a message
to His people through the prophet Haggai (HAG igh). Haggai went
to Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest to tell them God’s message.
“You live in beautiful houses,” said the Lord, “while My house
lies in ruins.” Was it right for God’s people to put themselves first? No, their actions did not honor God. God told them to think about what was happening. “You plant seeds, but you gather only a few crops. You have food to eat, but you are still hungry. You have clothes to wear, but you are still cold.”
This was happening because the people put themselves rst. God did not bless their work because they did not put Him rst. God told them to get wood from the hills and nish rebuilding the temple of God.
Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people listened to Haggai’s message from God. They chose to obey God and honor Him. “The Lord says,
‘I am with you,’ ” Haggai said. All of the people were excited and encouraged. They began the work on the temple again.
A little time passed, and then God spoke to Haggai again. He told Haggai what to say to the people of God. This is what the Lord said: “Do you remember what the first temple looked like? What do you think? Was the first temple more beautiful?” God said, “Zerubbabel, don’t be
discouraged! Joshua, don’t be discouraged! All you people, don’t be discouraged! Keep working hard. I am with you.”
Then God said that something big was going to happen. He said that other nations were going to give gifts for the temple—silver and gold! God said, “This temple will be greater than the first. My glory will be here, and I will bring peace to this place.” God promised to bless the people because they chose to obey Him.
Finally, God gave Haggai another message. This message was for Zerubbabel. “I’m going to make some changes,” God said. “I’m going to overthrow kings and kingdoms. Armies that used to get along will ght each other. And you, Zerubbabel, will be My servant. I’ve chosen you to show that I am powerful and in control.” This is what the Lord said.
Christ Connection: God’s people struggled to do what God wanted them to do. God chose Zerubbabel to help the people nish the temple. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to do God’s will. Jesus died and rose again to free us from sin so that we can do His will.
Haggai 1–2
After living in Babylon for 70 years, God’s people were home!
A group had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple. They had started the work, but their neighbors didn’t want them to rebuild the temple, so they stopped building. The people made excuses. “Maybe it isn’t the right time to rebuild the temple,” they said. They thought that because the task was dif cult, maybe God didn’t want them to do it.
Instead, the people worked on their own houses. They built nice houses for themselves, but God’s temple sat un nished. This made God angry. God wants His people to put Him first. God sent a message
to His people through the prophet Haggai (HAG igh). Haggai went
to Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest to tell them God’s message.
“You live in beautiful houses,” said the Lord, “while My house
lies in ruins.” Was it right for God’s people to put themselves first? No, their actions did not honor God. God told them to think about what was happening. “You plant seeds, but you gather only a few crops. You have food to eat, but you are still hungry. You have clothes to wear, but you are still cold.”
This was happening because the people put themselves rst. God did not bless their work because they did not put Him rst. God told them to get wood from the hills and nish rebuilding the temple of God.
Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the people listened to Haggai’s message from God. They chose to obey God and honor Him. “The Lord says,
‘I am with you,’ ” Haggai said. All of the people were excited and encouraged. They began the work on the temple again.
A little time passed, and then God spoke to Haggai again. He told Haggai what to say to the people of God. This is what the Lord said: “Do you remember what the first temple looked like? What do you think? Was the first temple more beautiful?” God said, “Zerubbabel, don’t be
discouraged! Joshua, don’t be discouraged! All you people, don’t be discouraged! Keep working hard. I am with you.”
Then God said that something big was going to happen. He said that other nations were going to give gifts for the temple—silver and gold! God said, “This temple will be greater than the first. My glory will be here, and I will bring peace to this place.” God promised to bless the people because they chose to obey Him.
Finally, God gave Haggai another message. This message was for Zerubbabel. “I’m going to make some changes,” God said. “I’m going to overthrow kings and kingdoms. Armies that used to get along will ght each other. And you, Zerubbabel, will be My servant. I’ve chosen you to show that I am powerful and in control.” This is what the Lord said.
Christ Connection: God’s people struggled to do what God wanted them to do. God chose Zerubbabel to help the people nish the temple. Many years later, God sent His Son, Jesus, to do God’s will. Jesus died and rose again to free us from sin so that we can do His will.