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"Because of My house that is in ruins"

Text: Haggai 1:9

A PAINFUL EXPLANATION

The returnees had a hard time rebuilding their nation. Part of the rebuilding included the Temple project. But the people had paid scant attention to the house of the Lord. Instead, they focused on building their personal wealth.

“‘You looked for much, but indeed it came to little;
and when you brought it home, I blew it away.
Why?’ says the LORD of hosts.
‘Because of My house that is in ruins,
while every one of you runs to his own house.'”
Haggai 1:9

1. The hopes of the returnees

a) “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little”

i) This is a reference to wealth-building.

ii) Everyone hoped that he would become successful and wealthy.

iii) The results were dismal! There was no wealth.

b) “And when you brought it home, I blew it away”

i) There were small measures of success and some wealth was brought home.

ii) But God blew that away.

c) “Why?”

i) This was what the returnees could not figure out.

ii) Why was God not blessing the people?

2. “Says the LORD of hosts”

a) God gave an answer forthrightly.

i) “Because of My house that is in ruins”

ii) The temple was in ruins.

iii) The returnees did not care much for God’s house at all.

b) “While every one of you runs to his own house”

i) The returnees were far more interested in their personal houses.

ii) The word “run” well-described the pleasure the returnees found when they were building their own houses.

c) The contrast was made deliberately.

The people had to understand God’s displeasure when His temple lay in ruins!

d) The LORD had to resort to strong ways of chastening His people.