Suburban Christians need to hear the message of Haggai. This neglected Old Testament book has incredible relevance for us, especially if we live in a comfortable, affluent suburb (like where I live: Naperville). Having just preached through book at our church, I’ve been freshly impressed as to the importance and relevance of Haggai for suburban Christians. Haggai challenges us to reconsider our priorities and move away from self-centeredness. Haggai encourages us to keep doing God’s work, even when it feels small, slow, or insignificant. Haggai redirects our attention to a God who is mighty, rules over the nations, and promises a glorious future. All Christians need to hear these things, but especially suburban Christians.
HAGGAI CHALLENGES OUR SUBURBAN SELF-CENTEREDNESS
The people of Haggai’s day had their priorities in the wrong place. After returning from Babylonian exile to the city of Jerusalem, they neglected God’s task for them: rebuilding the temple. At the beginning of Haggai’s ministry, the people had spent at least 15 years not rebuilding the temple; instead, they focused on rebuilding their own lavish [paneled 1:4] homes (Haggai 1:3-6). Granted, they did face some opposition which hindered their earlier attempts, but they never got back to their God-given task of temple rebuilding. The people chose self-interest over God. Now, through Haggai, God was calling them to “consider their ways” and get back to the task of rebuilding the temple. This was the good work they had to do (1:8).
We Christians who live in the affluent suburbs frequently need our priorities challenged. It is far too easy to choose the path of self-centered pursuits over the love of God and love of neighbor. We can so fill up our schedules with programs for our children, entertainment, distractions, and hobbies that we end up with no time to draw near to God or reach out to our neighbors. We can make the same mistake as God’s people in Haggai’s day. For this reason, Haggai is incredibly relevant to suburban Christians.
HAGGAI ENCOURAGES US WHEN OUR TASK FEELS SMALL AND INSIGNIFICANT
By God’s grace, the people in Haggai’s day responded to the prophet’s message and began rebuilding the temple (Haggai 1:12-15). In a remarkable display of repentance, the people got to work! But after a month and half or so, discouragement set in: the new temple was far smaller than Solomon’s original temple (Haggai 2:3). It looked ‘as nothing in the eyes’ of the people (Haggai 2:3). Thankfully, God knew what the people were thinking and had a message of encouragement to give them: “Be Strong! I am with you” (2:4-9). These words from God brought needed encouragement to a people who felt as though their work was small, weak, and insignificant.
Our work as a Christians in suburbia often feels small, weak, or insignificant. No matter how big our ministry or church is, the world can feel larger—and someone else always has a more visible or ‘successful’ ministry. Changing diapers, praying, going to small group, reading our Bibles, attending Sunday services, repenting of sin, and giving tithes can all feel small and insignificant. It is easy to get discouraged in the day-to-day obedience God calls us to in suburbia: the glories of the city, a foreign land, or remote time can sound far more exciting and meaningful. Yet, God is with us and our work here is important. God has ‘good works’ for us to do (Eph 2:10; Matt 28:18-20) and we are part of God’s eternal kingdom. Our work is part of God’s grand design to establish His kingdom on Earth! Haggai helps us see this.
HAGGAI REDIRECTS OUR GAZE TO A FAR GREATER FUTURE GLORY
The people in Haggai’s time were given promises of a far greater future glory. One day, God was going to “shake creation…and shake the nations” (2:6, 7, 21)—toppling earthly kingdoms and bringing in the kingdom of God. God would fill His temple with glory, and the latter glory would be greater than the former (2:9). These wonderful promises would have reoriented the Israelites: they could work hard and set their hearts on a far greater future glory, no matter what their eyes could presently see.
The glory which God promised in Haggai arrived in the person of Jesus—God Himself came to Earth (John 1:14-18). Jesus is the promised temple (John 2:19) and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). His death and resurrection defeated sin and death. He ascended into heaven and will one day return and then every knee will bow before him (Phil 2:9-11).
Christians in suburbia are waiting for the return of Jesus and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth. These are stunning future realities that have yet to arrive! We are like the people in Haggai’s time: waiting for something far more glorious and better (Rom 8:18). Because a far greater glory is coming, we do not have to set our hearts on the glories of suburbia: the glory of a beautiful home or yard, the glory of successful children, the glory of a vacation home on a lake, the glory of excelling in our hobbies, and every other suburban glory. Haggai helps us remember and wait for this future glory.
Let us listen to Haggai again and allow its message to shape how we live as Christians in suburbia.
