Haggai 1:12-15 - Homiletics

Ancient temple builders.

I. UNIVERSAL ACTIVITY . "They came and did work"—all of them: "Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and all the remnant of the people." There was not an idler amongst them. Every person was engaged at something in connection with the building, The spectacle was:

1 . The reproduction of an old scene, when in the wilderness of Sinai, orders having been issued for the construction of a tabernacle, "as many as were willing hearted came, both men and women," and contributed their aid to the work ( Exodus 35:20-29 ).

2 . The foreshadowing of a later scene, when the infant Church of the New Testament was assembled in the upper room, and "there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, which filled all the house where they were sitting," and "they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and all began to speak with tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance ( Acts 2:1-4 ).

3 . The picture of a ( possibly ) present scene . What is wanted is the carrying over of this scene of universal activity into the Christian Church, and the spectacle of every professing disciple of Jesus Christ contributing his quota of work to the building of that spiritual edifice which is today being erected on the foundation of the apostle and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief Cornerstone, for the inhabitation of God through the Spirit Ephesians 2:20-22 ). "The kingdom of heaven is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work" ( Mark 3:34 ).

II. CHEERFUL WILLINGNESS . "They all came ." Not one required to be coerced or in any way dragged forth against his will. Nobody skulked or came forward with a grudge, but each was readier than his neighbour. So was it in the erection of the tabernacle; so should it be in the building of the Christian Church. Yet how to realize this ideal in the latter case is one of the problems o

from a depressed condition of religion in the soul. The cure for the first may be found in the grace of God ( 2 Corinthians 12:9 ); for the second, in a high conception of God's ability ( Philippians 4:13 ); for the third, in doing the first thing that comes to hand ( Ecclesiastes 9:10 ); and for the fourth, in a quickening of the soul by the Holy Ghost ( Psalms 80:18 ).

2 . The forwardness of Christians to engage in Christian work might be expected on many grounds. Gratitude to God, if nothing else, should constrain them ( Psalms 116:12 ). Love to Christ might impel them ( 2 Corinthians 5:14 , 2 Corinthians 5:15 ). The nobility of the work might attract them; it would be walking in the footsteps of Christ ( Acts 10:38 ). The splendour of the reward might induce them ( Daniel 12:3 ; Matthew 25:40 ; 1 Corinthians 15:58 ; Revelation 2:10 ; Revelation 14:13 ). The clamant need there is for such work might move them ( 1 John 5:19 ). The good it would do might urge them ( Titus 3:8 ).

III. ARDENT ENTHUSIASM . They came and did work. Not merely "putting in the time," as the workmen's phrase is; or simply dragging on with heartless indifference; or hurrying up the job with utmost, speed and in careless fashion, anxious to get it done, no matter how; but toiling honestly and earnestly, with a business like energy and determination, doing good work, and doing it with a will. Such had been the manner in which the tabernacle makers worked; such should be the style of working in the Christian Church.

1 . The Founder of the Christian Church was an enthusiastic Worker. From the commencement of his ministry ( Mark 4:23 ; John 2:17 ) to its close ( Luke 9:51 ; Luke 12:50 ), Jesus was consumed with a burning devotion to his work of glorifying God and blessing men.

2 . The apostles and early preachers of the Christian Church were enthusiastic workers. The eleven ( Mark 16:20 ); the twelve ( Acts 5:42 ); Paul ( Philippians 3:13 ); Apollos ( Acts 18:25 ); Epaphroditus ( Philippians 2:27 ).

3 . The Christian Church has in almost every age possessed workers of at like spirit. Ministers, like Augustine, Athanasius, Chrysostom, Cyril, Calvin, Knox, Latimer, Baxter, Wesley, Chalmers; missionaries, like St. Augustine, St. Columba, St. Aidan, St. Mungo, Brainerd, Martyn, Carey, Williams, Moffat, Livingstone; private Christians, like the late Earl of Shaftesbury and others.

IV. INDOMITABLE PERSEVERANCE . Too soon discouraged on the first occasion by the angry speeches and malicious threats of their enemies, on this occasion the temple builders met their adversaries with a bold front ( Ezra 5:11 ), and rested not until they brought the work to completion ( Zechariah 4:7 , Zechariah 4:9 ). Perseverance:

1 . A characteristic of all sincere Christian workers. Exemplified in the history of Jesus, of Peter and John, of Paul, and of others who have followed in their steps.

2 . A necessary condition of all true success in Christian working. The greater the work, the more does it demand patient perseverance. Enterprises that can be carried through with a rush and an effort are seldom of moment.

3 . A certain guarantee of ultimate success . The man who perseveres wins—in ordinary life commonly, in religious life certainly.

CONCLUSION . The Christian worker's encouragement. "I am with you, saith the Lord" (verse 13; cf. Matthew 28:20 ).

1 . For aid, to help you with needed strength in your labours ( Psalms 127:1 ; Isaiah 41:10 ; Zechariah 12:1 ).

2 . For protection, to defend you against the machinations of your adversaries ( Ezra 5:5 ; Psalms 91:1-7 ; Proverbs 2:7 ; Zechariah 2:5 ; 1 Peter 3:13 ; Revelation 3:10 ).

3 . For approbation, to accept your service when it is finished ( Haggai 2:9 ).