Give Careful Thought

Haggai

            Haggai is a prophet in the post-exilic period. He is actually very specific about his ministry. He prophesies over 4-month period in 520 BC. The exiles of Judah were allowed to return to Jerusalem in 538 BC. By 536 BC, they had returned and laid the foundations for a new temple. Then, the work stalled, initially from opposition from neighboring nations, who framed the Jewish returnees as disloyal to Persia. By the time of Haggai, the delay seems to have been caused by the returnees’ own distraction. Haggai points out: they’ve had plenty of time to build their own houses!

            A feature of Haggai’s message that stood out to me was the repeated call, “Give careful thought…” Four times in two chapters. It seems to suggest that Israel knows better and if they just thought about it a little they would come to see the error of their ways. In my line of work, that resonates. I often feel like I don’t say anything particularly new and insightful in a sermon; preaching is really a practice in reminding God’s people what they already know (or already should know). In a famous passage in Galatians 5, St. Paul gives an extensive list of the works of the flesh, and as he often does in those sorts of contexts, the implication is, “You know this already; you know to avoid this.” Then he lists the nine fruits of the Spirit, and he (almost sarcastically) says, “Against such things there is no law,” as if to say, “Come on. This is obvious.”

            Intentionality is a buzzword these days. Even my fitness tracker reminds me to be mindful. It’s hardly a new idea. 2500 years ago, Haggai reminded God’s people, “Give careful attention to your faith.”