Haggai 1-2

“You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough … You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm” (1:6).  The prophet Haggai preached to the Jews who had returned from Babylonian exile and were rebuilding Jerusalem.  Instead of first repairing God’s Temple, they were focusing on their own needs, worried about their future (1:9).  Haggai explained that their efforts would never lead to stability or abundance until they put God first.

“Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts … My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not” (2:4-5). Working for ourselves leads to exhaustion; when we put God first, rely on Him, and seek His purposes, we find abundant life.