Before the inhabitants of Judah, and before us as well, stands a question of priorities, and it is neither simple nor unambiguous. Those who think that the time has not yet come to build the temple have their arguments. After all, the people...
Before the inhabitants of Judah, and before us as well, stands a question of priorities, and it is neither simple nor unambiguous. Those who think that the time has not yet come to build the temple have their arguments. After all, the people have only recently begun returning from exile: life interrupted by an enemy invasion has only begun to revive, not all the houses have been rebuilt, and the losses have not been made up. Where can strength and resources be found to restore the temple?
Such is the logic of human reasoning. It appears correct, but once again it demonstrates its limitation. Those who think this way are counting on themselves, on their own labor and abilities, and this would be wonderful if behind hope in their own strength one did not see yet another attempt to get along without God. And although the voice of the prophets had already sounded more than once, even today, after the bitter lessons of invasions and exile, not everyone draws the proper conclusions: it is impossible to gain anything without Him.
In recent years one increasingly hears complaints that times are changing, while troubles around us only multiply. It would be worth asking ourselves: how often do we compare our desires with His will? Are we ready to begin with the restoration of temples, the nearest of which we ourselves are called to become?
1 A reproof of the Jews for their delay in building, which had provoked God to punish them, Aggeo 1:1-11.
The peoples return to the work, whom the prophet, in God's name, encourages therein, Aggeo 1:12-15.
1:1 Son - Adoptive son to Shealtiel, being of the royal line, but by nature, son of Pedaiah. Governor - Appointed to this by the Persian king, over the remnant returned out of Babylon.Joshua - A type of the great deliverer; one Joshua leads them into Canaan, another restores the temple.
1:4 Ceiled - Arched and richly adorned.
1:6 Have not enough - But what you eat doth not nourish or satisfy you. Are not filled - Your water quenches not your thirst, your wine does not revive your spirit. None warm - You have no comfort therein.With holes - Loses all his labour.
1:8 Take pleasure - I will accept your offerings, and hear your prayers. Glorified - Shew my majesty and account myself glorified by you also.
1:9 Came to little - But it answered not the expectation.I did blow - I blasted it. Ye run - You with eagerness carry on your own particular buildings.
1:10 Is stayed - God hath forbidden them, to drop down dew.
1:11 Upon men - The very blood, and constitutions of men were changed, and many diseases afflicted them.
1:13 In the Lord's message - ln the words of his master.The people - The whole assembly.
1:14 The Lord of hosts - By which name he delights to be known among the returned captives; and it was a name best suited to their present state, compassed on all hands with enemies.