Glory in God

When the children of Israel returned from captivity in Babylon, they rebuilt the temple.  They did not possess the wealth of King Solomon who lavishly adorned the first structure built roughly 450 years before.  The new temple was modest by comparison and was hardly an impressive edifice even to those who laboured to construct it.  Rebuilding the temple in the city God placed His name was a most worthy effort, yet the new building failed to capture the former glory of that which Nebuchadnezzar destroyed.

Haggai 2:1-3 reads, "In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying: ² "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: ³ 'Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?"  There were elderly people among the captives who returned to Jerusalem who had seen the previous temple and thought the new temple didn't measure up.  God confronted the rulers of Israel, the high priest and remaining people about how they were critical of the current work.  Building the temple was God's work, but it wasn't as awesome as before.  This reminds me how reports of revivals in times past seem to outshine the work God is doing in the midst of His people today.

God continued in Haggai 2:4-5:  "Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts. ⁵ 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'"  God's word worked to shift the critical perspective of the building and the results of their efforts to God who was with them.  God said, "Be strong and work for I am with you."  Though Jerusalem lacked walls, protection and an army at the ready, the Spirit of God remained among His people.  They were exhorted to be without fear because God kept His word and covenant with them, though over the years they had been unfaithful to Him.

Haggai 2:6-9 concludes, "For thus says the LORD of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; ⁷ and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the LORD of hosts. ⁸ 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts. ⁹ The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the LORD of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the LORD of hosts."  The temple which seemed a shadow of its former glory would be filled with the glory of the LORD, and God promised the glory of this latter temple would be greater than the former.  The children of Israel could not have seen or predicted what God would do in the future and how peace would come to a shaken world through Him.

May all the servants of the LORD take heart in this, even when our service does not seem to be as glorious or magnificent of those who have gone before:  we ought to be strong and work because God is with us.  It is not great buildings, gold, silver or fame among men which we ought to prize but our glorious God who is the Desire of All Nations, the One who provides perfect peace for all who trust in Him.  Jesus Christ is our great High Priest and KING OF KINGS, the one whose glory fills heaven and earth forever.  A day is coming when He will return and establish His kingdom in Jerusalem, and eyes of faith see Him drawing near according to His promise.  Praise our glorious God, you His people, for the glory that awaits us is greater than the former.