NOTES for Hag 1:1-15

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?