"The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts" (Haggai 2:7)
“In the seventh month, on the twenty first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet saying: '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: '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? 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. 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out to Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!' (Haggai 2:1-5)
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; 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. 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. '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.'' (Haggai 2:6-9)
One commentary notes about verses 6-9, “These verses lift the people’s hearts from the dismal present to the glorious future that lies ahead. Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. The prophet blends together elements of the first and second comings of our Lord Jesus Christ who is also Israel’s King and Messiah. The people are encouraged to continue the work of building the Temple (cf. vss. 4–5) because there is coming a day when Jehovah will shake all of the nations of the world so violently that it will topple every kingdom and result in the establishment of the kingdom of Messiah (and I will fill this house with glory).” [1]
This commentary goes on to note about the shaking, “It will involve tremendous activity on the part of God in the heavens and earth, the sea, the dry land, and among all the nations of the earth.... The shaking of the heavens, earth, sea, dry land, and nations is figurative language indicating the personal involvement and the great extent to which Jehovah will go for the establishment of His kingdom on this earth.” [2]
“Baby don't you worry, 'cause I got you” sings.
Hebrews 12:26-27 says, “'But now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.' Now this, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.”
The once more refers to the time of second coming of Christ.[a] Revelation 16:17-19 says, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done!' And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.”
“I am going to shake everything that can be shaken... the hour is urgent... I am coming” sings
And Joel 3:14-18 says, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. ..And it will come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine, the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Acacias.”
“He's gonna turn it all around, just wait and see. He's gonna make everything beautiful just in time... all creation... Just don't give up, don't give in. If you don't quit you win” sings.
In Matthew 24:29-30 Jesus says about His coming, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with the power and great glory.”
“Everything is in My hands... it's gonna be alright, it's gonna be okay... He's gonna make the wrong things right... justice will prevail... Just hold on” sings.
Zechariah 12:10 says, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
Commentary goes on to note, “In other places in Scripture His activity is likened to the birth pains a woman suffers during the bringing forth of a child into the world (cf. Rom 8:20–23; I Thess 5:2–3).” [3]
Romans 8:18-23 says, “For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
“Keep on loving, keep on believing” sings
And 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 says, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
People proclaim 'peace and safety' when they are standing on what makes them feel secure. One article notes, “When God shakes everything, what cannot be shaken will be readily evident. What cannot be shaken is anything founded wholly on the Lord, the rock eternal... People are standing on foundations of sand, and as the torrent (flood) moves in, they are being destroyed because of unrepentant hearts and lack of knowledge of the truth... NOBODY is exempt from the shaking, both rich and poor, believer and non believer will be shaken to test where their foundation really lies.” [4]
God's purpose is not to cause His people to stumble and panic. His desire is that people would let go of those things they are placing their security in, repent and turn to “the Desire of All Nations.”
Psalm 145:17-19 says, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”
He desires His house would be filled with His glory. One article notes about this verse in Haggai, “God will fill His house as the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-12) makes clear.”
“For God is a lover and He's preparing a wedding” sings in the background.
Commentary goes on to note about Haggai 2:6-9, “All of God’s activity in the heavens and earth and among nations is moving toward one great end: and the desire of all nations shall come. This phrase has been given many different interpretations, but the best is probably that which understands the desire (Heb chemdah, lit., desire, desirableness) to be a reference to the Deliverer that shall come (cf. Isa 59:20–21), right all wrongs, and exalt the nation. The people of the world, and even creation itself, have had longings for this deliverance since the days of Adam (cf. Rom 8:19–23).
True to prophetic format, this prophecy refers to the advent of Messiah of His first coming to earth to take on human form; but ultimately, it will be fulfilled in His second coming to earth to set up His kingdom. Both comings are blended together in the prophet’s view, for the latter cannot be realized without the former. God’s eternal program is applied to the people of the prophet’s day by the promise I will fill this house with glory.” [5]
“I see the hardened hearts turning, You can take a heart of stone and make it burning... Send the rain” sings.
“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine” speaks of those things that are due to God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.”
“And in this place I will give peace” as one commentary notes refers to everything being as it ought to be. [6] Is. 24:20 says, “The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard And it totters like a shack, For its transgression is heavy upon it, And it will fall, never to rise again.” But one day, God will set everything right. Rev. 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
“Like a banner they will see You lifted high above... And Your glory will cover the earth, like the waters cover the seas. And the earth will sing Your praises, forevermore, Your kingdom shall be... And I believe heaven is coming down, Jesus will reign on the earth. And the two will become one, forever united in the Son” sings
Commentary notes about the temple they were building during the time of Ezra, “The important thing was not how the house that they were building compared with the former; rather, it was the place that this house would occupy in God’s overall program.” [7]
However humble the temple was, it was all they had to give. And as they put their hands to what their hearts prompted despite setbacks and difficulties, God promised to meet them there by filling it with His glory in greater measure than anyone had ever had seen in the past.
Commentary notes, “The house that they were building, poor though it was, would be used by God in the ultimate fulfillment of His program, the bringing of blessings to all the peoples of the world and the ultimate establishment of the earthly, Davidic, millennial kingdom. The people could rejoice in the fact that in the accomplishment of His program they were “… workers together with him …” (cf. II Cor 6:1). Their part in God’s program might be small, but it was absolutely essential (vss. 6–7).” [8]
“People get ready, Jesus is coming” sings
No matter how small or humble what we have to give seems in the light of God and His bigger story, He can use it for His glory in the fulfillment of his purposes and the bringing of blessings to the people in the land. He graciously extends His hand and invites us in to be His friends and 'workers together with Him' for the bringing forth of His kingdom purposes.
So how does one prepare and enter into this hour?
As those things we place our security in outside of God are shaken and we repent, standing firm on the Rock, we will become more and more alive. Alive in Him and alive to His purposes for this hour. Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Thomas a Kempis writes, “Those who hear the word of the cross and follow it willingly now, need not fear that they will hear of eternal damnation on the day of judgment. This sign of the cross will be in the heavens when the Lord comes to judge. Then all the servants of the cross, who during life made themselves one with the Crucified, will draw near with great trust to Christ, the judge.” [9]
He goes on to write, “Why, then, do you fear to take up the cross when through it you can win a kingdom? In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross is joy of spirit, in the cross is highest virtue, in the cross is perfect holiness... If you die with Him, you shall also live with Him, and if you share His suffering, you shall also share His glory.” [10]
In the midst of our suffering, God is our place of solace. We can trust that we will be comforted by Him. Thomas a Kempis writes about the man who continually carries the suffering of the cross, “Yet such a man, though afflicted in many ways, is not without hope of consolation, because he knows that great reward is coming to him for bearing his cross. And when he carries it willingly, every pang of tribulation is changed into hope of solace form God. Besides, the more the flesh is distressed by affliction, so much the more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace.” [11]
He encourages us, “Drink the chalice of the Lord with affection if you wish to be His friend and to have part with Him. Leave consolation to God; let Him do as most pleases Him. On your part, be ready to bear sufferings and consider them the greatest consolation, for even thought you alone were to undergo them all, the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come.” [12]
I tell Him I am willing to suffer for Him and give Him everything, but then I often struggle with letting go of my grip on the things of the world.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “What are we really devoted to?” He notes that possessions and earthly goods tend to turn our hearts away from Him. And when they do, our hearts become dark and closed. [13]
2 Corinthians 6:16-17 says, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
God is seeking for us to have single-hearted devotion to Him and, as we embrace His cross, He is shaking all else away. Bonhoeffer writes, “The singleness of eye and heart corresponds to that 'hiddenness' which knows nothing but the call and word of Christ and which consists in perfect fellowship with Him.” [14]
All that we are given, including earthly goods, people, and responsibilities, are gifts that we can receive with thanksgiving, but need to hold loosely to. Bonhoeffer writes that he who sets his heart on accumulated wealth, makes a barrier between himself and God. He writes, “Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God.” [15]
Bonhoeffer notes, “everything which hinders us from loving God above all things and acts as a barrier between ourselves and our obedience to Jesus is our treasure, and the place where our heart is.” And anything that we would allow to come between us and Jesus, saying that we must have it in our lives in order to follow God, has a grip on our hearts and is idolatry. [16]
In the days of Ezra, what came between God and His people was intermarriage with the people of the land. It became a common practice to take their daughters and sons and intermarry them. It was the leaders and rulers that were foremost in this activity (Ezra 9:2). Their conscience was seared and they did not even realize they were in sin. Ezra prayed, fasted and mourned over the sin of the people. As he did, the people gathered, wept bitterly and repented. Because the people were so deeply tied to their sin, it took many years to separate the people from their sin. Some who had taken pagan wives had children by them.
What God wanted was rather than serving at the altars of these God's, that the Isrealites would tear them down, setting the other nations free from idolatry. In Deuteronomy 7:3-6 He says, "Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destry you suddenly. But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their cared images with fire. For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peopls on teh face of the earth."
For me, what has been a barrier between me and Jesus at times is idolizing people I admire and respect. When I over-admire them, I put them on a pedestal and they can do no wrong in my eyes. This has been a long standing issue for me. I used to idolize my older sister. She could do no wrong in my eyes. Then I also idolized my previous pastor (who passed away). Over time, my conscience has become seared as it relates to this issue and I often do not see it until it is pointed out.
How it hinders me and causes me to stumble is that I seek the approval and validation of the person I admire rather than seeking God's approval. I am deeply grieved by it but I am not sure how to eliminate it from my life. How I try to deal with it is to close those people out of my heart who I have a tendency to idolize and create as much distance as possible. However, with my sister, I was able to come to terms with reality that she sins and extend her grace.
“We turn our eyes from worthless things...Lord we cast down our idols. Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts. Let us not lift our souls to another... Oh God let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks Your face oh God of Jacob” sings.
Bonhoeffer writes, “Our hearts have room only for one all-embracing devotion, and we can only cleave to one Lord. Every competitor to that devotion must be hated. As Jesus says, there is no alternative -either we love God or we hate him.” He notes that we must hate the world. [17]
While we can enjoy the good things in life as a blessing, we need to let them pass through our hands without grasping or holding on to them. We cannot serve two masters. Anything that we feel we must have in order to fulfilled, comes between God and us.
Obtaining security through possessions (or one's job) is common. Holding onto my job as a form of security is something that I too often struggle with. Bonhoeffer notes that we cannot hold to our possessions as a form of security or use them as an insurance against what might happen in the future. He writes, “Anxiety is always directed to the morrow, whereas goods are in the strictest sense meant to be used only for to-day. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. The only ways to win assurance is by leaving to-morrow entirely in the hands of God and by receiving from him all we need for to-day.”
When we live in the present moment and hold loosely to whatever happens -good or bad, not trying to secure or gain anything for ourselves, we can be fully present to God and available to His purposes. Bonhoeffer notes that “the coming day, even the coming hour, are placed beyond our control. It is senseless to pretend that we can make provision because we cannot alter the circumstances of this world.
We need to learn to trust that God has a firm grip on us and won't let us go. We do not need to make our own way or secure our future. As we rest secure in Him, standing firm on the Unshakable Rock, we can freely let go of our grip of all else we hold to and be free to serve Him.
Lord, forgive me for so many ways I try to grip hold of this world and secure my future. And forgive me for idolatry. Please lead me in Your path.
Your purposes are good and You hold tightly to each one of us. Help us to hold fast to You. Give us peace and rest as we stand secure in You. Would you give us the strength to let go of all those things You would desire to shake us free from that we might be fully available to You.
1,2,5,7,8. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994, S. 1788
3-4. Pete. Truth in Scripture. God’s Judgment: He Will Shake the Nations. Located at: http://truthinscripture.com/2009/10/25/gods-judgment-he-will-shake-the-nations/. Dated: 10/25/2009. Last Accessed: 3/29/2011
6 Radmacher, Earl D. ; Allen, Ronald Barclay ; House, H. Wayne: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1999, S. Hag 2:9
9-12. Kempis, Thomas a. The Imitation of Christ. Dover Publications, Inc. Mineola, New York. 2003.
13-17. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Touchstone, New York. NY. 1959.
a. Heaven and Earth were also shaken when Jesus came to the earth and died on the cross.
Haggai 2:21-23 says, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: 'I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. 'In that day, says the Lord of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says the Lord, 'and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,' says the Lord of hosts.”
As many commentaries note, Zerubbabel was a type or shadow of Jesus Christ.
And Matthew 27:45 says about Jesus' Crucifixion, as He gave up His spirit, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly saying, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'”
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; 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. 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. '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.'' (Haggai 2:6-9)
One commentary notes about verses 6-9, “These verses lift the people’s hearts from the dismal present to the glorious future that lies ahead. Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land. The prophet blends together elements of the first and second comings of our Lord Jesus Christ who is also Israel’s King and Messiah. The people are encouraged to continue the work of building the Temple (cf. vss. 4–5) because there is coming a day when Jehovah will shake all of the nations of the world so violently that it will topple every kingdom and result in the establishment of the kingdom of Messiah (and I will fill this house with glory).” [1]
This commentary goes on to note about the shaking, “It will involve tremendous activity on the part of God in the heavens and earth, the sea, the dry land, and among all the nations of the earth.... The shaking of the heavens, earth, sea, dry land, and nations is figurative language indicating the personal involvement and the great extent to which Jehovah will go for the establishment of His kingdom on this earth.” [2]
“Baby don't you worry, 'cause I got you” sings.
Hebrews 12:26-27 says, “'But now He has promised, saying, 'Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.' Now this, 'Yet once more,' indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.”
The once more refers to the time of second coming of Christ.[a] Revelation 16:17-19 says, “Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, 'It is done!' And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath.”
“I am going to shake everything that can be shaken... the hour is urgent... I am coming” sings
And Joel 3:14-18 says, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark, and the stars will diminish their brightness. The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, and the strength of the children of Israel. ..And it will come to pass in that day that the mountains shall drip with new wine, the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Acacias.”
“He's gonna turn it all around, just wait and see. He's gonna make everything beautiful just in time... all creation... Just don't give up, don't give in. If you don't quit you win” sings.
In Matthew 24:29-30 Jesus says about His coming, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with the power and great glory.”
“Everything is in My hands... it's gonna be alright, it's gonna be okay... He's gonna make the wrong things right... justice will prevail... Just hold on” sings.
Zechariah 12:10 says, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”
Commentary goes on to note, “In other places in Scripture His activity is likened to the birth pains a woman suffers during the bringing forth of a child into the world (cf. Rom 8:20–23; I Thess 5:2–3).” [3]
Romans 8:18-23 says, “For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
“Keep on loving, keep on believing” sings
And 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 says, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.”
People proclaim 'peace and safety' when they are standing on what makes them feel secure. One article notes, “When God shakes everything, what cannot be shaken will be readily evident. What cannot be shaken is anything founded wholly on the Lord, the rock eternal... People are standing on foundations of sand, and as the torrent (flood) moves in, they are being destroyed because of unrepentant hearts and lack of knowledge of the truth... NOBODY is exempt from the shaking, both rich and poor, believer and non believer will be shaken to test where their foundation really lies.” [4]
God's purpose is not to cause His people to stumble and panic. His desire is that people would let go of those things they are placing their security in, repent and turn to “the Desire of All Nations.”
Psalm 145:17-19 says, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”
He desires His house would be filled with His glory. One article notes about this verse in Haggai, “God will fill His house as the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-12) makes clear.”
“For God is a lover and He's preparing a wedding” sings in the background.
Commentary goes on to note about Haggai 2:6-9, “All of God’s activity in the heavens and earth and among nations is moving toward one great end: and the desire of all nations shall come. This phrase has been given many different interpretations, but the best is probably that which understands the desire (Heb chemdah, lit., desire, desirableness) to be a reference to the Deliverer that shall come (cf. Isa 59:20–21), right all wrongs, and exalt the nation. The people of the world, and even creation itself, have had longings for this deliverance since the days of Adam (cf. Rom 8:19–23).
True to prophetic format, this prophecy refers to the advent of Messiah of His first coming to earth to take on human form; but ultimately, it will be fulfilled in His second coming to earth to set up His kingdom. Both comings are blended together in the prophet’s view, for the latter cannot be realized without the former. God’s eternal program is applied to the people of the prophet’s day by the promise I will fill this house with glory.” [5]
“I see the hardened hearts turning, You can take a heart of stone and make it burning... Send the rain” sings.
“The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine” speaks of those things that are due to God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, “Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.”
“And in this place I will give peace” as one commentary notes refers to everything being as it ought to be. [6] Is. 24:20 says, “The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard And it totters like a shack, For its transgression is heavy upon it, And it will fall, never to rise again.” But one day, God will set everything right. Rev. 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
“Like a banner they will see You lifted high above... And Your glory will cover the earth, like the waters cover the seas. And the earth will sing Your praises, forevermore, Your kingdom shall be... And I believe heaven is coming down, Jesus will reign on the earth. And the two will become one, forever united in the Son” sings
Commentary notes about the temple they were building during the time of Ezra, “The important thing was not how the house that they were building compared with the former; rather, it was the place that this house would occupy in God’s overall program.” [7]
However humble the temple was, it was all they had to give. And as they put their hands to what their hearts prompted despite setbacks and difficulties, God promised to meet them there by filling it with His glory in greater measure than anyone had ever had seen in the past.
Commentary notes, “The house that they were building, poor though it was, would be used by God in the ultimate fulfillment of His program, the bringing of blessings to all the peoples of the world and the ultimate establishment of the earthly, Davidic, millennial kingdom. The people could rejoice in the fact that in the accomplishment of His program they were “… workers together with him …” (cf. II Cor 6:1). Their part in God’s program might be small, but it was absolutely essential (vss. 6–7).” [8]
“People get ready, Jesus is coming” sings
No matter how small or humble what we have to give seems in the light of God and His bigger story, He can use it for His glory in the fulfillment of his purposes and the bringing of blessings to the people in the land. He graciously extends His hand and invites us in to be His friends and 'workers together with Him' for the bringing forth of His kingdom purposes.
So how does one prepare and enter into this hour?
As those things we place our security in outside of God are shaken and we repent, standing firm on the Rock, we will become more and more alive. Alive in Him and alive to His purposes for this hour. Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Thomas a Kempis writes, “Those who hear the word of the cross and follow it willingly now, need not fear that they will hear of eternal damnation on the day of judgment. This sign of the cross will be in the heavens when the Lord comes to judge. Then all the servants of the cross, who during life made themselves one with the Crucified, will draw near with great trust to Christ, the judge.” [9]
He goes on to write, “Why, then, do you fear to take up the cross when through it you can win a kingdom? In the cross is salvation, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is infusion of heavenly sweetness, in the cross is strength of mind, in the cross is joy of spirit, in the cross is highest virtue, in the cross is perfect holiness... If you die with Him, you shall also live with Him, and if you share His suffering, you shall also share His glory.” [10]
In the midst of our suffering, God is our place of solace. We can trust that we will be comforted by Him. Thomas a Kempis writes about the man who continually carries the suffering of the cross, “Yet such a man, though afflicted in many ways, is not without hope of consolation, because he knows that great reward is coming to him for bearing his cross. And when he carries it willingly, every pang of tribulation is changed into hope of solace form God. Besides, the more the flesh is distressed by affliction, so much the more is the spirit strengthened by inward grace.” [11]
He encourages us, “Drink the chalice of the Lord with affection if you wish to be His friend and to have part with Him. Leave consolation to God; let Him do as most pleases Him. On your part, be ready to bear sufferings and consider them the greatest consolation, for even thought you alone were to undergo them all, the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come.” [12]
I tell Him I am willing to suffer for Him and give Him everything, but then I often struggle with letting go of my grip on the things of the world.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “What are we really devoted to?” He notes that possessions and earthly goods tend to turn our hearts away from Him. And when they do, our hearts become dark and closed. [13]
2 Corinthians 6:16-17 says, “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
God is seeking for us to have single-hearted devotion to Him and, as we embrace His cross, He is shaking all else away. Bonhoeffer writes, “The singleness of eye and heart corresponds to that 'hiddenness' which knows nothing but the call and word of Christ and which consists in perfect fellowship with Him.” [14]
All that we are given, including earthly goods, people, and responsibilities, are gifts that we can receive with thanksgiving, but need to hold loosely to. Bonhoeffer writes that he who sets his heart on accumulated wealth, makes a barrier between himself and God. He writes, “Where our treasure is, there is our trust, our security, our consolation and our God.” [15]
Bonhoeffer notes, “everything which hinders us from loving God above all things and acts as a barrier between ourselves and our obedience to Jesus is our treasure, and the place where our heart is.” And anything that we would allow to come between us and Jesus, saying that we must have it in our lives in order to follow God, has a grip on our hearts and is idolatry. [16]
In the days of Ezra, what came between God and His people was intermarriage with the people of the land. It became a common practice to take their daughters and sons and intermarry them. It was the leaders and rulers that were foremost in this activity (Ezra 9:2). Their conscience was seared and they did not even realize they were in sin. Ezra prayed, fasted and mourned over the sin of the people. As he did, the people gathered, wept bitterly and repented. Because the people were so deeply tied to their sin, it took many years to separate the people from their sin. Some who had taken pagan wives had children by them.
What God wanted was rather than serving at the altars of these God's, that the Isrealites would tear them down, setting the other nations free from idolatry. In Deuteronomy 7:3-6 He says, "Nor shall you make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the Lord will be aroused against you and destry you suddenly. But thus you shall deal with them: you shall destroy their altars, and break down their sacred pillars, and cut down their wooden images, and burn their cared images with fire. For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peopls on teh face of the earth."
For me, what has been a barrier between me and Jesus at times is idolizing people I admire and respect. When I over-admire them, I put them on a pedestal and they can do no wrong in my eyes. This has been a long standing issue for me. I used to idolize my older sister. She could do no wrong in my eyes. Then I also idolized my previous pastor (who passed away). Over time, my conscience has become seared as it relates to this issue and I often do not see it until it is pointed out.
How it hinders me and causes me to stumble is that I seek the approval and validation of the person I admire rather than seeking God's approval. I am deeply grieved by it but I am not sure how to eliminate it from my life. How I try to deal with it is to close those people out of my heart who I have a tendency to idolize and create as much distance as possible. However, with my sister, I was able to come to terms with reality that she sins and extend her grace.
“We turn our eyes from worthless things...Lord we cast down our idols. Give us clean hands, give us pure hearts. Let us not lift our souls to another... Oh God let us be a generation that seeks, that seeks Your face oh God of Jacob” sings.
Bonhoeffer writes, “Our hearts have room only for one all-embracing devotion, and we can only cleave to one Lord. Every competitor to that devotion must be hated. As Jesus says, there is no alternative -either we love God or we hate him.” He notes that we must hate the world. [17]
While we can enjoy the good things in life as a blessing, we need to let them pass through our hands without grasping or holding on to them. We cannot serve two masters. Anything that we feel we must have in order to fulfilled, comes between God and us.
Obtaining security through possessions (or one's job) is common. Holding onto my job as a form of security is something that I too often struggle with. Bonhoeffer notes that we cannot hold to our possessions as a form of security or use them as an insurance against what might happen in the future. He writes, “Anxiety is always directed to the morrow, whereas goods are in the strictest sense meant to be used only for to-day. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. The only ways to win assurance is by leaving to-morrow entirely in the hands of God and by receiving from him all we need for to-day.”
When we live in the present moment and hold loosely to whatever happens -good or bad, not trying to secure or gain anything for ourselves, we can be fully present to God and available to His purposes. Bonhoeffer notes that “the coming day, even the coming hour, are placed beyond our control. It is senseless to pretend that we can make provision because we cannot alter the circumstances of this world.
We need to learn to trust that God has a firm grip on us and won't let us go. We do not need to make our own way or secure our future. As we rest secure in Him, standing firm on the Unshakable Rock, we can freely let go of our grip of all else we hold to and be free to serve Him.
Lord, forgive me for so many ways I try to grip hold of this world and secure my future. And forgive me for idolatry. Please lead me in Your path.
Your purposes are good and You hold tightly to each one of us. Help us to hold fast to You. Give us peace and rest as we stand secure in You. Would you give us the strength to let go of all those things You would desire to shake us free from that we might be fully available to You.
1,2,5,7,8. KJV Bible Commentary. Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 1997, c1994, S. 1788
3-4. Pete. Truth in Scripture. God’s Judgment: He Will Shake the Nations. Located at: http://truthinscripture.com/2009/10/25/gods-judgment-he-will-shake-the-nations/. Dated: 10/25/2009. Last Accessed: 3/29/2011
6 Radmacher, Earl D. ; Allen, Ronald Barclay ; House, H. Wayne: Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville : T. Nelson Publishers, 1999, S. Hag 2:9
9-12. Kempis, Thomas a. The Imitation of Christ. Dover Publications, Inc. Mineola, New York. 2003.
13-17. Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. Touchstone, New York. NY. 1959.
a. Heaven and Earth were also shaken when Jesus came to the earth and died on the cross.
Haggai 2:21-23 says, “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying: 'I will shake heaven and earth. I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots and those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother. 'In that day, says the Lord of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,' says the Lord, 'and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,' says the Lord of hosts.”
As many commentaries note, Zerubbabel was a type or shadow of Jesus Christ.
And Matthew 27:45 says about Jesus' Crucifixion, as He gave up His spirit, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly saying, 'Truly this was the Son of God!'”
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