Climb the Hill and Get the Wood!

“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”

Haggai 1:4

And so, as King Cyrus decreed: everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:5). Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the building began with the altar so the morning and evening sacrifices could be offered and the sacred feasts celebrated. Next the foundation of the temple was completed with much fanfare. But then the enemy intervened, frustrating the work and eventually bringing it to a standstill (Ezra 3-4) for fifteen plus years.

Enter the prophet Haggai, with more than a hint of sarcasm. They had not only built their own houses instead of the LORD’s. They’d paneled them—a sign of luxury. And while their houses may have been comfortable, they never had quite enough food nor drink nor wool to make warm clothes with. Everyone’s pocketbook had a hole in it!

 Sure, the enemy had threatened; but “what you brought home, I blew away” said God (Haggai 1:9). There was a reason the heavens had withheld their dew and the earth its crops (1:10). If only they’d given it careful thought (1:5,7).

God’s instructions through Haggai were specific: “Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored” (1:8). Zerubbabel and Joshua and the people were moved to obey. The spirit of the whole remnant of the people was stirred by the presence of the LORD (1:13-14).  

Does God need to get your attention today? Are you reclining in your comfort zone, your priorities skewed? Do you have a rebuilding project for the Lord you need to get on with? Does your spirit need to be stirred? Do you need to honor God with your worship? Give careful thought to your ways!

May these words of Debbie Stuart from the summer study of Haggai resonate deep in your soul: “Climb the hill and get the wood! Climb the hill and get the wood!” It may not be an easy climb but it’s the place to begin.

Nancy P

All Scripture quotations are from the NIV 1973, 1978, 1984, unless otherwise noted.