Homilist Haggai 2:1-2 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,… 1. The Divine message often comes from one man to many. It now came by Haggai. 2. All temples but the temple of nature are to be built by man himself. God could have studded the world with temples; but He has honoured human nature by leaving it to men. 3. Any postponement of duty is opposed to the will of God. All duty requires the utmost promptitude. The Jews were now dallying with duty. The subject of these verses is — God requires human labour purely for religious objects. True labour in every form should be religious. I. THIS LABOUR SHOULD BE STIMULATED BY THE VIEW OF RELIGIOUS DECADENCE. The temple, once the glory of the country, was now in ruins, etc. Into what a low state has genuine religion sunk in our country! It is cold, formal, worldly, conventional. II. That this labour should be PERFORMED BY THE MOST VIGOROUS EXERTION. "Be strong, O Zerubbabel, be strong, O Joshua, be strong, all ye people of the land." Why? 1. Because it is right, and therefore you may throw your conscience into it. 2. Because it is worthy of all your faculties. Call out and honour all the faculties of your nature. 3. Because it is urgent. The highest interests of your countrymen and your race depend upon it. III. This labour SHOULD ENLIST THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL. It concerns all — young and old, rich and poor. IV. THIS LABOUR HAS A GUARANTEE OF DIVINE ASSISTANCE. "For I am with you, says the Lord of hosts." (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying, |
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