Glimpses 2 of 4 "a Bag Full Of Holes"

A bag full of holes

It’s the dreaded nightmare of every child. It happens without warning, and without appointment. One reaches into his or her pocket anticipating that prized possession, often called a quarter, that was earned after hard and strenuous labor with the vacuum or rake. However, to his or her surprise, the only thing found is a pocket full of holes. Make no mistake; this is a story all too common to those of us who are willing to confess to it. The well-known concept of supply and demand paints a good picture of the common situation. The self-pleasing demands of people all across the world are perpetually rising while the supply to meet those demands is continually falling short until he or she looks to God for fulfillment. Too often, the reordering of priorities in order to rectify this problem is the last option, and people spend a large portion of their lives drinking from the shallow puddles of muddy water rather than the fountain that never runs dry. The people of God addressed by Haggai the prophet had this very problem. After being in exile for numerous years, they were given freedom; however, rather than pursuing a life of spirituality by rebuilding the house of God, they focused on the less important things and sought after the pursuit of happiness. Haggai confronts the people rather bluntly and points out not only their deceptive procrastination and distorted priorities, but assures them of God’s dependable presence.

            Webster’s dictionary defines procrastination as “putting off intentionally the doing of something that should be done”. Likely, there is not a single person to have ever walked the face of this planet, other than Jesus himself, who were not infected by the infiltrating worm of procrastination. It is quite paradoxical that we experience the most joy out of life when we accomplish those tasks that we consider most important; however, we spend most of our time frustrated over not doing those important things.In other words, rather than making the most of every opportunity, we find ourselves carrying on our shoulder a bag full of good intentions that gets increasingly heavier as we grow older. In Haggai 1:2, the prophet says the following, “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying, this people says, the time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built”. Although there were a few somewhat logical reasons for such an excuse, one would do well to remember that logical reasons are not found on the list of what God desires from His people. The Jews who had returned from exile had already laid a foundation for the new Temple; however, after receiving opposition from the Samaritans, and having the King of Persia put up a stop sign, the work came to a sudden halt. The lack of work on the new Temple during this time of restriction is understandable; however, even after the barriers were lifted, the people placed rebuilding the Temple on the bottom of the “to do” list. The deception of their procrastination was that they could plan on doing tomorrow what God desire for them to do today.

            Not only did the people neglect the rebuilding of the temple in the name of procrastination, but they also were living a life of distorted priorities. Haggai 1:3-4 records the following, “Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?" It’s sad but true, God’s people were spending more energy, time, money, thought, effort, and life preparing elaborate homes for themselves rather than preparing the house representing God’s presence. The Temple during this time was not merely a building, but was a visible symbol of God’s presence, and a place in which God’s people would come to be near HIM. The neglect of rebuilding the Temple was simply a symptom of the neglect to place God first. God may have been on the list; however, He doesn’t delight in taking a number.        

            Haggai 1:6 records the following, “"You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes." The prophet gives the people a proper perspective. God’s people by neglecting to rebuild the Temple were neglecting Him, and therefore neglecting the abundant life that only He can give. Haggai 1:7 records the following, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, "Consider your ways!” Evidently the people got it! Approximately three weeks later the rebuilding began, and the people were once again on the road of blessing. It is after this step of obedience that the prophet assures them of God’s dependable presence. Haggai 1:13 records the following, “Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke by the commission of the LORD to the people saying, " 'I am with you,' declares the LORD."

            At times it is easy to find oneself placing the most important things in life on hold. The pursuit of hopeful happiness outweighs the pursuit of righteousness. Yet we must remember that it is those who hunger and thirst for righteousness that will be filled, not those who seek happiness. Although the message of Haggai is primarily focused on the physical Temple, all would do well to remember the importance of the spiritual Temple Ultimately it is the condition of the spiritual Temple is that which will both determine and be the result of those things that believers choose as priorities. May we all be challenged to lay aside the weights of good intentions, in order to have lives full of God rather than holes!