Again, Consider Your Ways Haggai 1:7

After telling the Israelites to “Consider your ways”, the LORD through the prophet Haggai shared five areas where they were lacking even though they were exerting themselves – sowing, eating, drinking, clothing and earning. As though they needed to hear it again, in chapter one and verse seven of his prophecy the LORD through Haggai tells them again to “Consider your ways”. We read:

Thus says the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

The verse begins, “Thus says the LORD of hosts;” Haggai began with the phrase, “Thus says” or “speaks, utters, answers and avows” “the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” who is “the existing One” and the proper name of the One true God “of hosts” or “that which goes forth to war or a host of organized army”. Once again this directive is from none other than “Jehovah” God Himself, and the Israelites were to greatly consider what He declared.

The verse continues, “Consider your ways”. Haggai added, “Consider” which means “put, place, set, appoint, make, lay upon, direct and extend” “your ways” which refers to “road, path, journey, direction, manner, habit, course of life and moral character”. Twice we have seen the LORD tell the Israelites to “consider” or “think about” the manner in which they were living.

When we meditate upon Haggai's words in this verse, we may be inclined to think we have already learned this lesson. However, the very fact that God Almighty though it important enough to repeat, we should pay close attention to what He declares. We can almost feel His passionate plea for the Israelites to think about the results of rejecting or ignoring Him and His temple. We also should examine our relationship with Jesus Christ as we think about our personal production or lack thereof. Are we lacking because we have neglected the things of God? Are there areas in our lives where we have set the LORD to the side? May the Holy Spirit show us where we need to “consider our ways”, and when He does, may we alter those which do not put him first.

Next time Haggai tells the Israelites to “go to the mountain” and begin rebuilding the temple, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.