Haggai:1

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* Verse 1-11 - Observe the sin of the Jews , after their return from captivity in Babylon . Those employed for God may be driven from their work by a storm , yet they must go back to it . They did not say that they would not build a temple , but , Not yet . Thus men do not say they will never repent and reform , and be religious , but , Not yet . And so the great business we were sent into the world to do , is not done . There is a proneness in us to think wrongly of discouragements in our duty , as if they were a discharge from our duty , when they are only for the trial of our courage and faith . They neglected the building of God 's house , that they might have more time and money for worldly affairs . That the punishment might answer to the sin , the poverty they thought to prevent by not building the temple , God brought upon them for not building it . Many good works have been intended , but not done , because men supposed the proper time was not come . Thus believers let slip opportunities of usefulness , and sinners delay the concerns of their souls , till too late . If we labour only for the meat that perishes , as the Jews here , we are in danger of losing our labour ; but we are sure it shall not be in vain in the Lord , if we labour for the meat which lasts to eternal life . If we would have the comfort and continuance of temporal enjoyments , we must have God as our Friend . See also * Verse Luke - strkjv @12:33 . When God crosses our temporal affairs , and we meet with trouble and disappointment , we shall find the cause is , that the work we have to do for God and our own souls is left undone , and we seek our own things more than the things of Christ . How many , who plead that they cannot afford to give to pious or charitable designs , often lavish ten times as much in needless expenses on their houses and themselves ! But those are strangers to their own interests , who are full of care to adorn and enrich their own houses , while God 's temple in their hearts lies waste . It is the great concern of every one , to apply to the necessary duty of self-examination and communion with our own hearts concerning our spiritual state . Sin is what we must answer for ; duty is what we must do . But many are quick-sighted to pry into other people 's ways , who are careless of their own . If any duty has been neglected , that is no reason why it should still be so . Whatever God will take pleasure in when done , we ought to take pleasure in doing . Let those who have put off their return to God , return with all their heart , while there is time . * Verse 12-15 - The people returned to God in the way of duty . In attending to God 's ministers , we must have respect to him that sent them . The word of the Lord has success , when by his grace he stirs up our spirits to comply with it . It is in the day of Divine power we are made willing . When God has work to be done , he will either find or make men fit to do it . Every one helped , as his ability was ; and this they did with a regard to the Lord as their God . Those who have lost time , need to redeem time ; and the longer we have loitered in folly , the more haste we should make . God met them in a way of mercy . Those who work for him , have him with them ; and if he be for us , who can be against us ? This should stir us up to be diligent . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

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