Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

For such a small book Haggai has really caused us to need to “think carefully about our ways”.

In the first message from Haggai challenged to examine our priorities.

Next we were instructed on how to properly shape our expectations.

Last week we were reminded about the principles and effects of spiritual contamination.

This morning we come to the last message of Haggai as we finish the book.

This morning our focus is to think carefully about our hope of faith.

Our faith is based on the hope we have.

There is story of a man sentenced to death who obtained a reprieve by assuring the king he would teach his majesty’s horse to fly within the year — on the condition that if he didn’t succeed that he would be put to death at the end of the year.

“Within a year,” the man explained later, “the king may die, or I may die, or the horse may die.

Furthermore in a year who knows?

Maybe the horse will learn to fly.”

Our hope that we have is not in a what it is in a whom.

Apart from God there is no hope for tomorrow at best maybe a “hope-so.”

For those whose hope of faith is God and they are right with God - our future has a hope and that hope is certain.

God desires us to have faith in Him as our hope of faith.

Haggai was given this final message because if their hope is in themselves, or in their circumstances then they will fail.

Our future hope will affect our present living.

The people have been struggling with discouragement.

For 70 years the people of Israel had been slaves to the people of Babylon.

The Medo-Persian Empire had allowed them to return home so they could rebuild their country which lie in ruin.

They had begun rebuilding God’s temple, but had quit due to opposition from their neighbors.

Their homes and farms were in disarray, so they quit building the temple and began rebuilding their lives.

Their lack of balance and misplaced priorities led them to forsake God’s work altogether, so much so that God punished them for it.

He withheld rain from them, allowed them no satisfaction from their labors and kept His blessings from them as He tried to gain their attention.

Fourteen years or so went by before God got that attention back through the preaching of Haggai, after which time the people returned to the temple to begin building, but once again God withheld His blessings from them.

Although they had gone to work, they were an unclean people.

In other words, their lives were dirty with sin: sinful attitudes, sinful speech, and sinful actions.

Even though they had gone to work, they were unfit.

God had to once again send Haggai to tell them what was wrong: they were separated from Him because in their sinful, wicked state He would not bless them.

It must have seemed very bleak to Zerubbabel.

He might have said, “The people are down, God is working against us, our crops won’t produce, our situation borders desperation.

I’d like to just give up right now!”

You know how he feels, don’t you?

Some of you feel that way today: wanting to give up.

If not right now, we’ve all been in those shoes where we’ve wanted to give up and run away, and many do.

This morning I will tell you that as children of God we have a special gift to deal with these times of severe discouragement where we feel like quitting or giving up.

As we close the book of Haggai, we will see that God gave Haggai a final message of hope.

This message still inspires hope among believers today.

But our hope lies far beyond the message.

You see, it is what we learn about the Messenger Himself that gives us great cause for hope and faith in the most disparaging of times.

It is in our Hope of Faith we find the inspiration of endurance and perseverance to continue on.

Let’s read Haggai 2:20-23 as we think carefully about the hope of faith.

A Personal Hope

Haggai 2:20–21 (CSB)

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah

As with the other messages Haggai was given this one also came from the LORD specifically.

God had an important word that was necessary for this time.

A peculiar timing for this message.

The word of the LORD came a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month.

This message is the same day as the previous message.

Two messages on the same day - this wasnt God saying oh by the way I forgot.

This was a specific message that was also needed at this specific time.

This message was also given specifically to Zerubabbel.

Haggai was directed to speak this message to Zerubabbel.

This message was just for Zerubabbel but it also isn’t just for him.

Since this message is also recorded in scripture that means it is useful and necessary for all who would read it as the word of God.

This message was given to Zerubabbel from God through Haggai and was pointed towards Zerubabbel’s position or office of governor.

Zerubabbel was not a prophet like Haggai, he wasn’t a priest like Joshua - he was a leader, a politician and he was discouraged about what he was doing.

Though the grandson of a king (Jehoiachin) he himself wasn’t a king.

Israel remained under the control and authority of the Persians.

Zerubabbel was however a leader over the people and if his faith was weak and lacking hope then that would lead to a lack of hope and faith among the people.

We live in a time where most are unwilling to assume responsibility.

Most are happy and eager to accept the credit but unwilling to assume responsibility - especially in failure.

It is easy to bark out orders and give directions and set expectations, but we draw the line at being held accountable.

Whether we want to admit it or not organizations rise and fall with leadership.

Now I of course realize the church is not an organization; she is a living body, the body of Christ, but the principle remains the same.

If the leadership within the church is lacking in faith and hope, the church as a whole will be lacking as well.

Those of us in leadership roles will give account to God for how we have led and what we have done with what we were entrusted with.

I cannot expect faith and commitment from the chairs, if it does not also come from the pulpit and from our lives as leaders and pastors.

Teachers, don’t expect it of those who listen to you if it is lacking in you!

History is replete with men and women who have been greatly used by God in the public and political life.

In the Bible we have the account of Joseph who was active and used in the political life of Egypt.

He held the second highest position next to Pharaoh and was responsible for the agricultural policy that saved the land from a severe famine.

Daniel held a high office in the political life of Babylon and served under the kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus.

Nehemiah like Zerubabbel was governor of Judah and responsible for rebuilding the walls of the city.

Being active in political life is not incompatible with having a strong faith in God.

Truthfully we could use more people to take their faith and serve in an active role in political and civil life.

Scriptures teach we should pray godly men and women who carry the burden of leadership not only in religious, but political and public life.

Not a hope in a specific government but in the one who appoints governments and kingdoms.

The government has rightful demands of citizens and it is ordained by God.

Paul also says

Our personal hope of faith is not our position, our government officials or our government at all - our personal hope of faith is God.

A Powerful Hope

Haggai 2:21–22 (CSB)

21 I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.

22 I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms.

I will overturn chariots and their riders.

Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword.

The message God spoke to Zerubabbel was to reveal and remind of His great strength and unmatched power.

Listen to the sheer power of God.

He makes three promises that showcase His power and sovereignty.

I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.

Speaking of judgment that will take place of the heavens and the earth.

Reminiscent of previous verses 6 and 7

Then the LORD says I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms.

This speaks to the prophecy of the times of the Gentiles and the period where Israel would have no king and not have a kingdom.

The times of the Gentiles began when Israel was taken into Babylonian captivity by Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel during this time was given the interpretation of the king’s dream.

The LORD then says I will overturn chariots and their riders.