LIVE PURE LIVES

AIM FOR CHANGE

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

GRASP Haggai's message of encouragement to press forward in rebuilding the Temple; REALIZE that reneging on promises to God yields catastrophic results; and DEVELOP ways to commit to doing God's work. 

FOCAL VERSES Haggai 2:10-19

KEEP IN MIND

"Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the promegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you" (Haggai 2:19)

AT-A-GLANCE

1. The Lesson (Haggai 2:10-13)

2. The Indictment (vv. 14-17)

3. The Forward Press (vv. 18-19)

IN FOCUS STORY

The Church was finally complete and the first service was scheduled for the next day. As Deanna and Anita jumped rope in front of the new church, they laughed about what they had done. After helping clean the new building and prepare for the exuberant service, the girls made a mess in the kitchen and did not clean it up. They thought no one would notice, so they left the disaster they created. 

The girls were excited because they had been chosen to escort the pastor down the aisle for the service. However, their parents found out what they had done in the kitchen and refused to allow them to participate. At the service, the committee thanked the people who helped make the event successful, but omitted Deanna and Anita's names. The girls were very disappointed, and hoped helping clean the building would excuse what they had done. 

Sin always has consequences. Sometimes that punishment is not quickly obvious, but the punishment must run its course before blessing can begin. In today's lesson, we learn that God will bless His people when they recognize their sin, repent, and obey Him. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

Cyrus. The most celebrated of the Achaemenid (a name for the first Persian empire) leaders was Cyprus the Great, who ruled Persia from 559-530 B.C. Coming to the throne at about the age of forty, Cyprus ruled Persia for about three decades. He is remembered as an effective leader and innovative administrator of the vast Persian empire, a leader who for the most part succeeded in gaining the trust and goodwill of his subjects. Persia's dominance in the ancient Near East was secured when Cyprus's forces captured the Babylonian empire. Cyprus sought to encourage and befriend his subjects by granting them considerable religious freedom. 

Darius. Darius I Hystapes came to power in Persian in 522 B.C. after first disposing of the perceived imposter, Gaumata. He was 28 years old at the time. Darius settled into what would be a long effective reign (522-486 B.C.). In addition to his military exploits, Darius is remembered for his contributions to the organization for the empire, the development of roads and postal service within the empire, the organizational structure of the Persian military, the revision of legal and tax systems, the expansion of building infrastructure, and innovation with regard to coinage. 

BACKGROUND

Haggai's previous sermon had been given in the second year of King Darius, or 520 B.C. In the Jewish calender, the twenty-first day of the seventh month was the seventh day of the Feast of Tabernacles, when work was suspended to celebrate the time of the harvest (Haggai 2:1). The timing of that message was opportune because his audience had reason to be in Jerusalem and were available to gather. 

In addition to commemorating the experiences of the Israelites wandering the wilderness, the Feast of Tabernacles was also a time for celebrating God's provision through the harvest. But on this occasion, a dark cloud hung over what should have been joyous remembrance. A drought had reduced agricultural production to a fraction of what it should have been. Because of these recent crop failures, the people were probably less inclined to celebrate then they might have been in good times. 

Since the presentation of Haggai's first sermon, less then two months had passed. In that small amount of time, however, the people's outlook had changed significantly. Discouragement over the enormity of their task now threatened the success of the mission. Haggai's challenge was to address these issues and instill a vision of what the future held for the Temple structure and for the nation. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. Who told Haggai to ask the priests about the law (Haggai 2:11)?

2. Where did the blasting heat, mildew, and hail come from (v. 17)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. The Israelites understood that their current obedience did not wipe out their past sin and its punishments. That punishment had to run its course, but eventually God promised to bless the people with better harvests-even before they obeyed. What does this say about God's grace and expectations for His people? What does this say about the hardship we face?

2. What encouragement did God give Israel to help them press on? What encouragement does He give us?

3. In the In Focus Story, Deanna and Anita thought their disobedience would be overlooked. How might past disobedience in our lives play itself out in our current situations?

LESSON IN OUR SOCIETY

Some people seem to participate in every program or service at church, but that doesn't mean that their motives are always pure. What might be the purposes of their involvement? Does their constant presence and work exemplify holy living? Many good deeds are done, but what constitutes doing good for the Name of the Lord? How can we help new saints, young people, and others learn the importance of motive and intent when serving God?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

Works, good deeds, or outstanding accomplishments will not save our souls, but our salvation causes us to work for the glory of our Lord. If you have the Holy Ghost, it is not because of your good works, but it should spur you to do excellent service for Jesus Christ. If you are not yet saved, you opportunity is here - now to ask God to fill you with His Spirit. 

(Except from Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc.)