Haggai 1:1-15, NIV
Background: prophet Haggai during the reign of Darius.
Prophet Haggai, son of Shealtiel, Governor of Judah.
The LORD pointed out to Haggai to rebuild His house which is in ruins while everyone built their own houses.
1. In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest:
2. This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD’s house.'”
3. Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai:
4. “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
5. Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.
6. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”
Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the LORD.
9. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.
10. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops.
Th:
We mere mortals are not in control. God is in control. He is sovereign; enjoys his blessings through faith in him and living a righteous life with His help (by His strength). Alternative: Being evil, sinful and face His curses or judgment and wrath.
Luke 9:10-17, NIV
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
10. When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,
11. but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
12. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
13. He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”
14. (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
15. The disciples did so, and everyone sat down.
16. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.
17. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Hgs and reflections:
Miracles. Feeds 5,000 using five loaves and two fish. God is generous; meet the physical needs of the people with Him. Jesus prayed to God and gave thanks before the food multiply….ate and satisfied…twelve basketful of broken pieces left.
Th: Nothing is impossible with God.