“Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.” Haggai 2:19
The book of Haggai is an account of God’s dealings with Israel, the exiles who had returned to Israel, and the remnant living there at the time when the foundation of the temple had been laid. It was a time when the people lost their bearings, having been lulled into slumber concerning the rebuilding of the temple. This slumber was the result of steady opposition by the enemy of our souls and theirs, who used Israel’s physical enemies to obstruct and to hinder the work. The steady, almost unrelenting pressure of resistance to rebuilding the temple, wore down the resolve of the people to the point where the project would have been terminated indefinitely were it not for two things. There was first the matter of intercession, believing prayer. This is confirmed by the testimony of Daniel, and others of the exile. Even in Babylon, so far away from Jerusalem, the believer’s prayers rose to the throne of God, appealing to His mercy and grace, for His intervention, so that again, His face would shine on His sanctuary, which was desolate. (Daniel 9:17) The second thing that occurred, most certainly because of the prayers of believers in Babylon and Jerusalem, was the coming of two prophets, who would communicate to the people “the word of the Lord.” In the book of Haggai the prophet, he writes over and over again, “The word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying…” (1:3) The power of intercession would bring the power of the spoken word, specifically the “word of the Lord of Hosts.” That power had its effects upon the governor of Judah Zerubbabel, Joshua the high priest the son of Jehozadak, and the remnant of the people.” The people were gripped by the words of Haggai, for they knew they were the words of the Lord of heaven. Scripture tells us that as a result of Haggai’s ministering the word of the Lord to them, and the power of that word, that “…the people feared the presence of the Lord.” (2:12) Then, the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, because the Lord their God had sent him. By illustration, at that time, “the seed was still not yet in the barn,” or as Jesus would declare many years later, “the fields…are already white for harvest.” (Jn. 4:35) There was much ground to be gained, with no time to lose. God’s time has come, with the promise of His blessing and provision: “…From this day I will bless you.”
In the book of Isaiah, the Lord made a most wonderful statement: “In an acceptable time I have heard you And in the day of salvation of, I have helped you.” (Is.49:8) The Apostle Paul takes this declaration, and by the Spirit applies it to the life of every believer: “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor. 6:2) Paul is taking the truth of the opportunity and the abundant grace and mercy of God stretching forth His arm to save the souls of men and nations, and at the same time speaking of a period of time…a day, which is the present one. Later in Isaiah’s writings, speaking of the ministry of Christ by the Spirit, he writes that Christ was, “…to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God.” The Scriptures speak of time and opportunity in the present moment, which must not be neglected.
The use of the renewed opportunity that God gives is seen in His dealings with Joshua the high priest whose garments were soiled with sin, neutralized by Satan’s accusations. (Zechariah 3:1-7) Joshua must first be consecrated anew to God, cleansed from all sin, and then whole-heartedly committed to God. If he would walk in God’s ways, keeping His commands, then he would serve God faithfully.
Dear Father, Sanctify us wholly today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.