IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Introduction to Haggai

Key Verse: 1:5

First, so that I may take pleasure in it (1-11). According to God's power and grace, a remnant of the people of Israel returned to the land of Israel to rebuild the house of the Lord. They began with zeal, but when they met resistance from the local people the work came to a stop. They reasoned that it wasn't the right time for the Lord's house to be built. As time went by everyone became busy with his own house and his own life, while the temple-the house of the Lord-remained in ruins. This was the time when the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai. In his word he challenged the people to give careful thought to their ways, to discern their lives in light of the Lord and his word. Then they could see that all of their struggles were given by the Lord, so that they could come back to him, to once again build the temple and their lives for the purpose of pleasing the Lord.

Second, the people obey (12-15). The people repented and feared the Lord. They accepted Haggai as God's servant and his message as God's word. The Lord stirred up their spirits, and they once again came back to build the temple.

Prayer: Lord, help me to repent my busy life, give careful thought to your word and build my life to please you.

One Word: A life built on God's word