The People did the Work Haggai 1:14

When the people of Israel began to rebuild the LORD's temple, the LORD through Haggai the prophet promised them “I am with you”. In chapter one and verse fourteen of his prophecy, Haggai shares how the LORD “stirred up the spirit” of the leaders and the people and they “did the work”. We read:

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,

The verse begins, “And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people;” Haggai began with the phrase, “And the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” who is “the existing One” and “the proper name for the one true God” “stirred up” or “roused, awoke, incited and excited” “the spirit” which means “mind, vivacity, vigor, courage and patience” “of Zerubbabel” whose name means “whose name means “sown in Babylon” and was “the grandson of king Jehoiachin and leader of the first group of returning exiles from Babylon” “the son” or “child” “of Shealtiel” whose name means “I have asked of God” and was “the son of king Jehoiachin or Jeconiah or Coniah of Judah and uncle of Zerubbabel and father of Zerubbabel” “and the spirit” or “mind, vivacity, vigor, courage and patience”“of Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” and was “the son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration from Bablyon” “the son” or “child” “of Josedech” which means “Jehovah is righteous” and was “the grandson of the high priest Hilkiah; son of the high priest Seraiah and father of the high priest Joshua; he never attained the office of high priest himself because he was carried captive to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar” “the high priest” or “greatest in importance principal officer or chief ruler and officiation one” “and the spirit” which means “mind, vivacity, vigor, courage and patience” “of all the remnant” which means “rest, remainder, residue and what was left” “of the people” which refers to “nation, persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men, kinsman and kindred”. Let us note, it was “the LORD” who “stirred up” and aroused the “spirit” of both the leaders and people of Israel.

The verse goes on to say, “...and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,” Haggai continued, “and they” which refers to “the people of Israel” “came” or “entered, carried in, brought in and put” “and did work” which means “fashioned, acted, effected, produced and made business, occupation and service” “in the house” or “dwelling, habitation, shelter and abode” “of the LORD” which refers to “Yehovah or Jehovah” who is “the existing One” and “the proper name of the one true God” “of hosts” which means “that which goes forth, an army, war or warfare” “their God” or “ruler, judge and divine One”. Once their “spirits” were “stirred up”, the leaders and the people continued rebuilding or “did the work” on the temple of the LORD.

When we meditate upon Haggai's words, we should be excited about the LORD “stirring up” the “spirit” of the leaders and “the people” of Israel. The priority of rebuilding the LORD's temple was most important not only for the LORD, but alos for the leaders and people as well. The LORD knows when people have Him first in their lives, they are in alignment with His eternal purposes. This is why Jesus Christ said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you”. (Matthew 6:33). Let us allow the LORD to “stir up” our “spirits” that we may “do the work” of building His kingdom until He comes again.

Next time Haggai shares the date when the people returned to working on temple, so read ahead, 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.