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"Thus speaks the LORD of hosts"

Text: Haggai 1:2

ADDRESSING A SPECIFIC PROBLEM

The leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua had not been able to deal with a problem that affected the building program.

“Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying:
‘This people says, “The time has not come,
the time that the LORD’S house should be built.”‘”
Haggai 1:2

1. “Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying”

a) The word “hosts” is a reference:

i) To the angelic army of God.

ii) God has many mighty angels that make up His divine army.

b) LORD

i) This was God’s covenant-name that He used with reference to Israel (Exodus 6:2-4).

ii) The LORD of hosts highlights the fact that He was the Commander-in-chief.

2. “This people says”

a) God was fully aware of what the returnees were saying.

b) He brought this matter up to Zerubbabel and Joshua.

c) They had not been able to deal with this problem effectively.

3. The saying of the people

a) “The time has not come”

i) The building program had stalled.

ii) There were many problems that caused the people to fear their enemies.

iii) They concluded that the “appropriate time” had not yet come.

b) “The time that the LORD’S house should be built”

i) The people had been discouraged.

ii) They had now procrastinated.

iii) They were now giving excuse after excuse not to carry on with the Temple building project.

4. Zerubbabel and Joshua

a) They had not been able to deal with misgivings and the fears of returnees.

b) Haggai was sent to speak to them specifically so that they can complete the building project.