"God's Gonna Shake Things Up"

      Haggai is one of the so-called minor prophets. They were called minor not because they were insignificant, but because their messages were brief. The book of Haggai consists of only three chapters. It is the next to shortest book in the Bible, one and a half pages in my Bible. You may want to go home and read it this Sabbath afternoon. It will take less time than listening to this sermon.

      Haggai's time is post-exile. He is one of only three prophets who proclaimed God's word after the exile.¹ You would think this would have been a time of great celebration, but in fact it was not. The Israelites had returned to find Jerusalem in ruins, and the Temple was no better. It was a time of discouragement, disillusionment, and apathy.

      Haggai's message concentrated on the need to rebuild the Temple; it was a building campaign. The Temple had been neglected for many years. As we listen for God's word to us this morning, let's consider the Temple probably means more than just a building. The Temple that needs rebuilding could be any number of things for us today. Let's think of that as we listen for God's word.

      In the second year of King Darius, in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai, saying: Speak now to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, and say, Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Is it not in your sight as nothing?

      Yet now take courage, O Zerubbabel, says the LORD; take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, all you people of the land, says the LORD; work, for I am with you, says the LORD of hosts, according to the promise that I made you when you came out of Egypt. My spirit abides among you; do not fear.

      For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasure of all nations shall come, and I will fill this house with splendor, says the LORD of hosts.

      The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts. The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.

Dateline: October 17, 520 BCE
Place: Jerusalem, the Temple Site
Occasion: The Feast of Booths---a Celebration of God's Provision

      God speaks through the prophet Haggai.

      Do you remember how things used to be? Do you remember how spectacular the Temple once was fifty-sixty years ago, how thousands would throng to it? How the city was well run, peaceful, prosperous? Who remembers? Who is left that remembers?

      Haggai sends out a message that goes viral; God speaks to everyone on a momentous day, during a famous festival. Times have indeed changed: the city is in ruins, people struggle to make ends meet. People hunker down with their own concerns. The Temple is just a partial foundation sitting among the weeds.

      Three recipients are targeted in Haggai's announcement.

      First, is the governor of Judah². This is the head government leader who brought them back from Babylon. Through Haggai, God goes right to the top.

      Next is the high priest, Joshua. Yahweh speaks to the most important religious leader in all of Israel.

      Last is the rag tag group of people who'd made their way back to Jerusalem after years in captivity. Last, the Lord speaks to the assembled people.

Dateline: November 27, 2011 CE
Place: Dallas, Texas, The Sanctuary, LHPC
Occasion: The First Sunday of Advent

      Yes, attendance may be a bit thin after our annual secular feast of roast bird; still, God has some questions for us today.

      Do you remember the glory days? Do you remember when life was well ordered, simpler, when right was right and wrong was wrong? When politicians served the public interest instead of rich lobbying groups? When entire families wouldn't dream of missing church on Sundays and people mortgaged their homes in order to build a church? Does anyone remember those days?

      Times have indeed changed. The complexities of life overwhelm nearly everyone, from young to old. The most common mantra you hear is "I am so busy. There is too much to do." Things are done hastily, haphazardly, with little thought and no time for reflection. The economy languishes; many suffer a serious loss of income or hope for future employment. There is a complete lack of confidence in government. Anywhere between 44-63% of people disapprove the way our president is handling problems³, and less than 17% of citizens approve of the job Congress is doing⁴. Not only this, but the Christian church hast lost not only numbers, but also power and influence⁵. Things here at LHPC also reflect some degree of fatigue, ennui, or disinterest. Worship attendance is down and only sixty eight families have made financial pledges for next year.

      God has some words for us today. God intends to shake us up.

      First, God speaks to the leaders of government.

      Next, God speaks to faith leaders. Here at LHPC that would be me, the staff, the Session, and other informal leaders.

      Last, God speaks to you.

What God says:

Take courage.
Be strong.
Now is not the time to give up.
Now is not the time to slack off.
Now is certainly not the time to stop.

Work! For I am with you. (this is directly from scripture!)
Work! According to the promise
Work! Time is a wastin'
Finish what you have started
It's hard to do that, but hang in there. You are not alone.

Don't be timid
Don't hold back

Remember the promise.
Remember what I told you I would do for you.
Did you believe it, or were you just nodding your head?

My spirit lives inside you.
I am with you, even when it doesn't seem like it.
I am part of you; draw on that. Drink deeply from that well.

Do not fear.
Get rid of fear; it does nothing for you.
It zaps you of the energy you need.
It robs you of hope.
Fear is my enemy; it is the opposite of love.
And it is love that I have for you; love that I have promised you.

I am going to prosper your efforts.
I am going to hand out wholeness and holiness.
Your Temple---your faith---your lives---your livelihood---will be restored.
The things you value---will be strengthened.
The work I have for you---will be blessed and will multiply my good gifts.

What God will do:

      God will give us hope. God will help us believe in tomorrow.

      Haggai's message proclaims the power of God over and against our sad, current state of affairs.

      It is a powerful, Advent, God-breaking-into-history message. God promises a "treasure" to the people. This could be many things, but consider this. God promised us a redeemer, Jesus, the one who would break into history and shake up everything.

      We have forgotten the power of that promise. We have forgotten the power of that person. We have forgotten the one who came among us---God with Us.

      Haggai says God will shake things up. If you're wondering what happened after Haggai's prophecy, God shaking "all the nations" may well have come to fruition in the wave of social and political unrest that swept the Persian Empire during those times right after Haggai prophesied.

      God shakes things up for us today---at every level.
          At the level of government leadership
          At the level of church leadership
          At the level of personal conviction

      In the end, Haggai's message is a vision of hope propelling us into the future. It is a vision of the abiding spirit of God and splendor of new (things)
          The temple, yes, but more.
          New leaders; new energy
          New commitments
          Renewed hope
          New resolve on our part, to work, remember the promise, and fear not.

Even though things look like a mess,
Even though things ARE a mess,
Even though it looks like the temple, the building, the economy, the pledge drive---will NEVER get done---

God promises His presence with us.
God reminds us of His promises to us.
God assures of us His person with us---Jesus Christ.
God's promises are so much larger than our efforts.

Do not fear.
A change is a comin'.
God's gonna shake things up!