Haggai 1:12-15 - The Responding Remnant
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
God always has a chosen remnant that obeys Him and that He protects. There was a remnant in Genesis 6 as Noah and his family were delivered during the flood of the entire earth. In 1 Kings 19 Elijah was told by God that there was a remnant of 7,000 that had not bowed their knee to Baal. Isaiah 10 discusses a remnant of Israel that are delivered from destruction from the Assyrians.
The world thinks that remnants are scraps that can be thrown away. Think of laying carpet. Remnants are left over and disposed of as waste. They are considered useless. The world prefers the homogenous or uniform sinfulness that is characteristic of the wider culture. The world doesn’t respect the remnants of the world. In fact, most in the world sees the remnants as those in the way of progress.
But God sees His remnant as set apart. He sees those who obey as valuable.
In a world where most go along with the flow of the culture, God still has a remnant today. He still has a people set apart for His glory.
Let’s dive into today’s Scripture and see another remnant that obeys the Word of the Lord:
Read Full Scripture:
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
Prayer
Today we will see three ways the Word of the Lord requires a response. First off…
I. The Word of Lord Requires Engagement (12)
I. The Word of Lord Requires Engagement (12)
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
Last week we heard the Word of the Lord that came through Haggai the prophet. The Lord called out the sin of Israel and commanded them to obey and rebuild the house of the Lord. He called out their selfishness. He commanded them to stop and consider their ways. And as we also saw, He called out their fear of others.
In verse 12, we see that the people feared the Lord as they obeyed Him. This remnant of Israel that made the almost 900 mile journey from exile to Jerusalem that numbered around 50,000 people was ready to fully commit to the Word of the Lord. They finally understood who was truly in charge of their lives. They finally recognized the sovereignty of God. Those who persecuted them had no power compared to the God who created them!
Friends, we can learn from this as well. So often, people fear man. They are afraid of what others might think if they are too bold in sharing the Gospel. They are afraid of what might happen at their job if they take a stand for truth. They are afraid of what might happen if they try to lead their families Biblically.
My friends, we are wrong to fear man. We should fear God and not fear man. Listen to Jesus speak on this in Matthew 10:28:
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
That is a wake up statement isn’t it! Don’t fear man who can just kill the body. Fear God who can destroy both your body and soul and cast you into hell. That is a tough Word.
Brothers and sisters, we live in a world that fears man immensely. Most people in our culture are afraid to speak the truth. They are afraid to discuss Biblical views on sexuality. Even the clergy (I say clergy because these persons are not true pastors of God’s flock)… Even the clergy of many of today’s denominations not only refuse to speak out against the deviance of our society, they support it by twisting the Word of God! How dreadful is the judgment on these souls who call God a liar.
Friends, why would we fear man instead of fearing God? Man does not stand in eternal judgment of us. It is Jesus Christ who does.
But when considering fearing God...What should we do with this word fear? Should we run from God? Should we try to avoid God like we might try to avoid a dark alley at night?
Absolutely not. At the end of verse 12 we are told this:
Haggai 1:12 (ESV)
… And the people feared the Lord.
This type of fear is a healthy fear - or a reverential respect for God. He is all powerful. Those of this world pale in comparison to His eternal power. Why would we ever obey those in this world over obeying God?
A healthy fear and respect for God should lead us to obedience. And it should lead us to love and appreciate what He does for us all the more. When we are right with the Lord, we can run into His arms of love and protection because we understand how powerful He is to protect us. When we see God as big, our adversaries begin to pale in comparison.
In a right response of obedience, the people of Israel - in the fear of the Lord - led by Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest - obey the voice of the Lord.
God, obviously was pleased with their obedience as we will see later in this book. But as a pastor, I wonder how Haggai felt after seeing the people respond in obedience?
There is nothing more encouraging than seeing the church respond to the preached Word.
I am not a prophet who speaks the very words of God. But I do my best to preach the Word of God. And when you as the flock of God respond to the Word with growth and repentance, I cannot help but be elated and joyful that the Word of God is changing lives. I pray that each of you here are changed by the Word each week. Obviously, God will work on each of us in differing measures depending on the message given, but I pray that you are changed by the preached Word of God. I know God continues to convict and change me as I prepare each week. His Word is amazing, and His Holy Spirit is at work in all believers, sanctifying us, and making us more like Jesus Christ.
There is one other phrase that I don’t want us to miss here:
Haggai 1:12 (ESV)
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.
If you recall, during Haggai’s first prophetic Word from the Lord, God referred to the people as “these people.” Here we see a restoration of the remnant. God is now the Lord their God.
As believers, we can understand and know that God is our God - Jesus Christ is our Savior. Like David in Psalm 23:1 we can say:
Psalm 23:1 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He is our shepherd. He is my shepherd. I pray that He is your shepherd. I pray that you have humbled yourself before Jesus Christ and put your faith in Him for salvation. There is no other name in which we may be saved (Acts 4:12). The Word of the Lord requires engagement. And next we see that…
Scripture References: Matthew 10:28, Psalm 23:1, Acts 4:12
II. The Word of Lord Provides Encouragement (13)
II. The Word of Lord Provides Encouragement (13)
Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, “I am with you, declares the Lord.”
I cannot think of a message better than verse 13 for the people to hear. As they set out to rebuild the temple knowing that there is likely persecution coming, God gives them another Word through the prophet Haggai.
And that Word is this...
I am with you, declares the Lord.
I am with you.
Who is with them? The Great I Am is with them. This is the same I Am that created the heavens and the earth. This is the same I Am that put breath in their lungs. This is the same I Am that has destroyed large armies time and time again. This is the same I Am that can calm the storms, part the seas, rain down manna from heaven, and bring rain during a drought.
This I Am is the Jehovah jireh of Genesis 22:14. He is the Lord who provides. Just like God provided a ram in the thicket to take the place of Abraham’s son Isaac - God is still providing for His people. Just like the the Great I Am who provided the sacrificial atonement for us on the cross - God is still saving souls today.
And for those who are in Christ - those who have believed in the sinless Son of God - truly man and truly God - who died on the cross some 2000 years ago and rose from the grave 3 days later - those who have placed their faith in Him alone for salvation and repented of their sins - This Great I Am still offers this promise for those who are obedient and in Him:
I am with you.
If you recall, last week we discussed how God did not reveal Himself as just Yahweh or Jehovah alone - in His covenant form. He revealed Himself as the Lord of hosts - Jehovah Sabaoth (Sab-aye-oth). Although God will continue to reveal Himself in this form at times throughout this book, we see that it is directed not at Israel but with and on behalf of Israel. And here in verse 13 we see God end this I am with you statement with only His covenantal name - Yahweh or Jehovah.
As we stated already, this group of Israelites that He referred to as ‘these people’ (Haggai 1:2) when they were in rebellion are now acting like ‘His people’ as they obey the Word of the Lord.
I love how Haggai introduces himself in verse 13. He calls himself a messenger of the Lord. He comes bringing a message to the people. Again, I am no Old Testament prophet, but I want you to hear the message today. If you are an obedient follower of Christ, you have the promise that He is with you.
See Hebrews 13:5
Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Obey Christ and trust Him to provide your daily bread and He promises that He is with you. Or hear Jesus speak in Matthew 28:20:
Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Disciple and evangelize others in obedience to Christ’s Great Commission mandate and you can know that the Lord - the Great I Am - is with you.
Maybe you need to hear that today friend. That the Lord is with you. Maybe you feel lonely. Maybe you feel like a remnant at your workplace. Maybe you feel like a remnant at school. Maybe you feel like a remnant even in your home. You feel like that scrap of carpet that keeps getting tossed about and seen as useless. You don’t fit in. You aren’t a part of the homogenous and uniform sinful culture around you.
I pray that you know that God is with you dear brother or sister. Stand firm and walk in the assurance of Christ. Do not be afraid of this world and what it says. Trust the Lord.
Listen to God as he encourages Joshua who is taking over for Moses as the leader of Israel in Joshua 1:9:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Be strong and courageous friends. You don’t need to be frightened. You don’t need to be dismayed which means you don’t need to be discouraged or downhearted or shattered.
Fear not for God is with you.
Know that God does not call you to do things for Him in this life. He calls you to do things with Him.
Just like Israel started the rebuilding the temple with God working with them, you can be assured that Christ works in you and through you and with you today.
You can be assured of that promise if you are walking with Christ in obedience. Keep Him your first priority. Love Him above all else. And you can walk confidently ahead knowing that God sovereignly walks with you. No matter what happens, you know Who holds the future.
The word of the Lord most certainly provides encouragement here! And finally…
Scripture References: Genesis 22:14, Haggai 1:2, Hebrews 13:5, Matthew 28:20, Joshua 1:9
III. The Word of Lord Provides Empowerment (14-15)
III. The Word of Lord Provides Empowerment (14-15)
And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
Leadership is extremely important amongst God’s people. Note that God stirred up the spirit of the leaders first and then the remnant as well. Leaders in our churches need to be in the Word and walking with the Holy Spirit. But also note that the people are individually stirred up by the Holy Spirit as well! The responsibility of following God is on all of us. We all need to be walking in the truth and with the One Who is the Truth.
Before we move forward, it is important for us to understand how the Holy Spirit worked under the Old Covenant and how He works in the New Covenant.
In the Old Testament - the Holy Spirit came upon people.
Consider men like Samson and Saul. He came upon them, but eventually when they were disobedient He was removed from them (Judges 16:20, 1 Samuel 16:14).
Under the New Covenant we have a different promise.
Today, He comes into a person and indwells a person when they repent of their sins, turn to Christ alone for salvation, and are born again.
Those who are in Christ and are saved have a guarantee or seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:14).
who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
They will not be plucked or snatched from Christ’s hand (John 10:28):
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
God’s Word does not only give encouragement, we see that His Holy Spirit provides empowerment to do the work!
See the last half of verse 14:
Haggai 1:14b (ESV)
.... And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,
These people are a changed people. They are a people who were living for themselves but now they are living for God. This is a people who are working for Jehovah Sabaoth (Sab-aye-oth) Who is for them. The Lord of hosts who is their God.
Brothers and sisters, we all must respond the Word of the Lord of hosts - the Lord of angel armies - the Lord of all power - the omnipotent God.
What is your response? Is He the Lord your God?
How much better is it to be able to call Him the Lord of hosts, my God! How much better is it to be called His son or daughter instead of called “these people.”
I pray that He is your God my friends.
Finally we come to verse 15…
on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.
Here we are given yet another date of when they started working on the house of the Lord. Verse 1 told us that the Word of the Lord first came through Haggai on the first day of the sixth month. Now we are on the 24th day of the 6th month and the people are working on the house of the Lord. Some 23 odd days have passed between the first Word of the Lord and them starting of the work.
Yet, we see a people who have been changed from the inside out. They have been stirred up by the Holy Spirit and are walking in obedience.
Context would tell us that this is a people that likely responded quickly in obedience. Only speculation can explain these 23 days in between the starting of the work and the Word of the Lord.
It seems most likely, given their heartfelt response here, that the people got started right away in repentance to the initial Word of the Lord. I have provided a few brief reasons for why it might have taken around 3 weeks before they got officially started on the rebuilding project:
They had to draw out plans, take inventory of items, and organize the people based on their capabilities and giftedness.
They had to clear out any debris that would have cluttered the building area.
They had to go and get wood before they could get started.
This was also a time of harvest for figs and grapes for the area and they may have had to multitask at first.
There are likely other reasons as well. However, we can see a people that has been changed by the Word of God. And these people have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out the command that the Lord has given them. They are now empowered to rebuild the temple.
Scripture References: Judges 16:20, 1 Samuel 16:14, Ephesians 1:14, John 10:28, Zechariah 4:6, Philippians 4:13
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, I want you to consider what God is calling you to step out in faith and do. Is there a calling from God that you have been running from? Is there something that just seems too difficult for you to do?
The Word of the Lord requires engagement. You can’t just keep putting it off. Step up and get to the work He has called you to do!
I can promise you that if you do, He will go with you. He will encourage you and work in and through you all along the way.
And He will empower you. Listen to Haggai’s contemporary Zechariah remind Israel of the power of God in Zechariah 4:6:
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.
You can only accomplish the plans of the Lord by His Holy Spirit’s empowerment.
Don’t spend your time focusing on what you can and cannot do. Our God can do anything. And His Word lets us know that we can do anything that He calls us to do in Philippians 4:13:
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Be strong and courageous like Joshua and Paul. Be obedient to Word of the Lord. I pray that each of you are a part of the responding remnant that God always protects, always loves, and continually holds in His hand. I pray that you each are part of that remnant of the New Covenant that Christ asserts that no one can snatch away. Reverentially fear God and keep His commands.
Church, may the Lord always go with you. Let us pray.
Prayer