Ezra 1-6
Haggai 1-2
Zechariah 1, 8

If I have to go shopping at a store, I always try to bring a list with me. It’s helpful to know exactly what I have to get and where everything is. When you plan ahead it helps you get in and out quickly. But even with a list and plan of attack, my cart doesn’t have the things on my list, like veggies, fruit and healthy food. It’s usually filled with Mini Muffins, Nutty Bars, and Zebra Cakes. I’m not sure where I went wrong? I come with a plan but then I see something else that looks really good and get distracted by it. 

Have you ever set out to do something, but ended up doing something else?

What where you supposed to do, and what did you actually do?

This week’s reading connects us with Israel trying to rebuild God’s temple. But there is a problem: the Samaritans and other neighbors are worried that if the temple actually gets rebuilt, Israel might become strong and influential, or even political leaders. So, how do the Samaritans respond? They distract, disrupt, and redirect Israel. They frustrate Israel so much that Israel gives building and moves on to something else. Israel even wonders if God really wants them to rebuild the temple at that time.

Enter the prophet Haggai. God uses him to talk to Israel after abandoning the temple project. God says: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house, my house remains in ruin?” (Haggai 1:4)

“You are super distracted and missing the point. You’ve made your life solely about you when it’s actually all about me (God)!”

I wonder how God was feeling when Israel stopped building the temple, and starting working on their own houses and projects? 

I wonder how Israel felt after God spoke out about being distracted and focusing on their immediate life, not God’s eternal plan?

God doesn’t just end the conversation right there, instead he cements what he is saying these pictures: “You’ve planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill.” (Haggai 1:5-6) 

“You are taking that first step, but your focus is entirely wrong in your life. It needs to be me (God)!”

These words and this message are repeated later in history. Jesus, used these same images during his time on earth:

• “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)

• “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I GIVE THEM will never thirst.” (John 4:13)

• "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to ME will never go hungry, and whoever believes in ME will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

Jesus is reminding us not to get distracted, rather our focus needs to be on Him.

I want to challenge and encourage you:

The challenge - Take a deep look at your life. Are you distracted or missing the point? Is it all about God or mostly about you?

The encouragement - Israel, 20 days after Haggai’s prophesy, starts building the temple again! You can get back on track too!

Be encouraged by God’s word and this story and start again with God first in your life!