Haggai 1:5
Verse
Context
Sermons
A.W. Tozer
Ian Paisley
Lou Sutera
Stephen Kaung
Don Courville
Walter BeuttlerSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Consider your ways - Is it fit that you should be building yourselves elegant houses, and neglect a place for the worship of that God who has restored you from captivity?
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
After rebutting the untenable grounds of excuse, Haggai calls attention in vv. 5, 6 to the curse with which God has punished, and is still punishing, the neglect of His house. Hag 1:5. "And now, thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Set your heart upon your ways. Hag 1:6. Ye have sowed much, and brought in little: ye eat, and not for satisfaction; drink, and not to be filled with drink: ye clothe yourselves, and it does not serve for warming; and the labourer for wages works for wages into a purse pierced with holes." שׂימוּ לבבכם, a favourite formula with Haggai (cf. v. 7 and Hag 2:15, Hag 2:18). To set the heart upon one's ways, i.e., to consider one's conduct, and lay it to heart. The ways are the conduct, with its results. J. H. Michaelis has given it correctly, "To your designs and actions, and their consequences." In their ways, hitherto, they have reaped no blessing: they have sowed much, but brought only a little into their barns. הבא, inf. abs., to bring in what has been reaped, or bring it home. What is here stated must not be restricted to the last two harvests which they had had under the reign of Darius, as Koehler supposes, but applies, according to Hag 2:15-17, to the harvests of many years, which had turned out very badly. The inf. abs., which is used in the place of the finite verb and determined by it, is continued in the clauses which follow, אכול, etc. The meaning of these clauses is, not that the small harvest was not sufficient to feed and clothe the people thoroughly, so that they had to "cut their coat according to their cloth," as Maurer and Hitzig suppose, but that even in their use of the little that had been reaped, the blessing of God was wanting, as is not only evident from the words themselves, but placed beyond the possibility of doubt by Hag 1:9. (Note: Calvin and Osiander see a double curse in Hag 1:6. The former says, "We know that God punishes men in both ways, both by withdrawing His blessing, so that the earth is parched, and the heaven gives no rain, and also, even when there is a good supply of the fruits of the earth, by preventing their satisfying, so that there is no real enjoyment of them. It often happens that men collect what would be quite a sufficient quantity for food, but for all that, are still always hungry. This kind of curse is seen the more plainly when God deprives the bread and wine of their true virtue, so that eating and drinking fail to support the strength.") What they ate and drank did not suffice to satisfy them; the clothes which they procured yielded no warmth; and the ages which the day-labourer earned vanished just as rapidly as if it had been placed in a bag full of holes (cf. Lev 26:26; Hos 4:10; Mic 6:14). לו after לחם refers to the individual who clothes himself, and is to be explained from the phrase חם לי, "I am warm" (Kg1 1:1-2, etc.).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Consider your ways--literally, "Set your heart" on your ways. The plural implies, Consider both what ye have done (actively, Lam 3:40) and what ye have suffered (passively) [JEROME]. Ponder earnestly whether ye have gained by seeking self at the sacrifice of God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... The Lord God omniscient and omnipotent, that saw all their actions, and could punish for them; since they were so careful of their own houses, and adorning them, and so careless of his house; he would have them now sit down, and seriously think of these things, and of what he should further observe unto them: Consider your ways; their sinful ways, and repent of them, and forsake them, particularly their ingratitude before observed; and their civil ways, their common ways of life; their labour, work, and business, they were continually employed in; and observe the event of them; what success they had, what these issued in; whether there were not some visible tokens of the divine displeasure on them, which rendered all their attempts to support and enrich themselves and families vain, and of no effect: and they would do well to consider to what all this was to be imputed; whether it was not chiefly owing to this, their neglect of the house of God; and this he would have considered, not in a slight cursory way; but with great earnestness, diligence, and application of mind: "put", or "set your hearts upon your ways" (p); so it may be literally rendered. (p) "ponite corda vestra", V. L.; "ponite cor vestrum", Burkius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:5 Look at what’s happening to you (literally Set your heart on these matters): For the Hebrews, the heart is the place where thinking, feeling, and willing all occur. So this command (also 1:7; 2:15, 18) calls upon the people to think carefully and draw the proper conclusions about the connection between what’s happening to them (drought and poverty, 1:6) and their failure to restore proper worship of the Lord (1:8-9).
Haggai 1:5
A Call to Rebuild the Temple
4“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Awake! Series): Consider Your Ways
By A.W. Tozer14K39:05ConsiderISA 1:18HAG 1:5HAG 1:7MAT 24:40In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the arbitrary nature of worldly pursuits and the neglect of one's soul and relationship with God. He emphasizes the importance of considering the four last things: death, judgment, heaven, and hell. The preacher expresses concern for young people who may be more focused on social activities rather than seeking God. He urges listeners to reflect on their ways and come to God for salvation and forgiveness.
Five Steps to Genuine Revival
By Ian Paisley2.8K27:31HAG 1:5HAG 1:7MAT 6:33MAT 11:12MRK 11:24LUK 14:23ACT 6:4In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of prayer and learning how to pray effectively. He urges believers to pray with fervor and passion, using prayer as a weapon against the enemy and to set free those who are captive. The preacher also highlights the significance of the cross and the sacrifice of Jesus, urging listeners to hate sin and the world because of its role in putting Jesus on the cross. He then references the Book of Haggai, specifically verses 7 and 8, calling believers to consider their ways and prioritize their Christian life. The sermon concludes with a reminder that divine power is necessary to accomplish God's work and that believers should rely on God's power rather than their own abilities.
Revival - God's Finger Pointing
By Lou Sutera1.6K54:152CH 29:1PSA 37:28PSA 101:1HAG 1:5In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the message from Haggai chapter 1, verse 5, where God tells his people to consider their ways. The preacher emphasizes the tendency of people to point fingers at others while forgetting to examine themselves. He highlights the importance of judgment starting within the house of God before extending to those outside. The preacher also references the story of Hezekiah in 2 Chronicles chapter 29, emphasizing the refining process that God takes his people through to purify them. Overall, the message encourages individuals to introspect and seek revival in their own lives.
The Lord's Heart for Spiritual Service - Part 2
By Stephen Kaung6641:18:36HAG 1:5JHN 12:26PHP 3:10In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of examining our service to God. He highlights four areas that need to be considered: the nature of our service, the presence of vision, alignment with the heavenly vision, and the outcome of our service. The speaker emphasizes that our service should be rooted in the life of Jesus and not just a mere work. He also emphasizes the need for vision in our service, as it gives purpose, direction, and endurance. The speaker encourages listeners to align their service with the heavenly vision and not just follow traditions. Finally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of considering the outcome of our service and ensuring that it aligns with God's will.
The Seven Levels of Judgment - Proper Response Part 3
By Dan Biser53118:20MIC 5:3HAB 2:4HAG 1:5ZEC 1:3HEB 11:1
This sermon emphasizes the importance of a proper response before God in times of trouble and judgment. It highlights the need for prevailing in spirit, living by faith, seeking the Lord, righteousness, and meekness. Proper responses include being still in God's presence, gathering together, obeying the word of the Lord, and trusting in God's promises for deliverance and salvation.
On Eagles' Wings Pt 38
By Don Courville35431:17Radio ShowJDG 17:6PRO 14:34HAG 1:5HAG 1:7MAT 6:33In this sermon, James Hitchcock discusses the state of America and the need for a religious revival. He emphasizes the importance of understanding what is happening in the news media and school systems. Hitchcock highlights the growing strength and militancy of Evangelical Protestants, which has caused panic among secularists. He also emphasizes the need for righteousness to exalt the nation and the importance of prayer and turning back to God for a revival in America.
Commentary Notes - Haggai
By Walter Beuttler0HAG 1:5Walter Beuttler preaches on the Book of Haggai, highlighting the historical context of the rebuilding of the temple after the Babylonian captivity, the prophet Haggai's message of reconstruction, and the importance of heeding 'the word of the Lord' in times of discouragement and sin. The four addresses in Haggai provide exhortations to build the temple, emphasize the consequences of neglecting God's work, and predict the future magnificence of the millennial temple surpassing Solomon's. The people's response to God's exhortations, the priests' understanding of holiness, and the blessings of obedience are key themes in Haggai's messages.
"Consider Your Ways"
By A.W. Tozer0Spiritual AccountabilitySelf-ReflectionECC 12:13ISA 1:18HAG 1:5MAT 16:26JAS 4:14A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and the need for individuals to consider their spiritual lives in his sermon 'Consider Your Ways.' He contrasts the reflective nature of humans with the instinctual behavior of animals, urging listeners to spend time contemplating their souls rather than trivial pursuits. Tozer highlights that God invites us to reason together, offering forgiveness and urging us to prioritize eternal matters over fleeting distractions. He warns against neglecting our souls and the responsibility we have to nurture them, reminding us that our lives are a precious loan from God. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a deep consideration of our ways and a commitment to seeking God earnestly.
- Adam Clarke
- Keil-Delitzsch
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Consider your ways - Is it fit that you should be building yourselves elegant houses, and neglect a place for the worship of that God who has restored you from captivity?
Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch Old Testament Commentary
After rebutting the untenable grounds of excuse, Haggai calls attention in vv. 5, 6 to the curse with which God has punished, and is still punishing, the neglect of His house. Hag 1:5. "And now, thus saith Jehovah of hosts, Set your heart upon your ways. Hag 1:6. Ye have sowed much, and brought in little: ye eat, and not for satisfaction; drink, and not to be filled with drink: ye clothe yourselves, and it does not serve for warming; and the labourer for wages works for wages into a purse pierced with holes." שׂימוּ לבבכם, a favourite formula with Haggai (cf. v. 7 and Hag 2:15, Hag 2:18). To set the heart upon one's ways, i.e., to consider one's conduct, and lay it to heart. The ways are the conduct, with its results. J. H. Michaelis has given it correctly, "To your designs and actions, and their consequences." In their ways, hitherto, they have reaped no blessing: they have sowed much, but brought only a little into their barns. הבא, inf. abs., to bring in what has been reaped, or bring it home. What is here stated must not be restricted to the last two harvests which they had had under the reign of Darius, as Koehler supposes, but applies, according to Hag 2:15-17, to the harvests of many years, which had turned out very badly. The inf. abs., which is used in the place of the finite verb and determined by it, is continued in the clauses which follow, אכול, etc. The meaning of these clauses is, not that the small harvest was not sufficient to feed and clothe the people thoroughly, so that they had to "cut their coat according to their cloth," as Maurer and Hitzig suppose, but that even in their use of the little that had been reaped, the blessing of God was wanting, as is not only evident from the words themselves, but placed beyond the possibility of doubt by Hag 1:9. (Note: Calvin and Osiander see a double curse in Hag 1:6. The former says, "We know that God punishes men in both ways, both by withdrawing His blessing, so that the earth is parched, and the heaven gives no rain, and also, even when there is a good supply of the fruits of the earth, by preventing their satisfying, so that there is no real enjoyment of them. It often happens that men collect what would be quite a sufficient quantity for food, but for all that, are still always hungry. This kind of curse is seen the more plainly when God deprives the bread and wine of their true virtue, so that eating and drinking fail to support the strength.") What they ate and drank did not suffice to satisfy them; the clothes which they procured yielded no warmth; and the ages which the day-labourer earned vanished just as rapidly as if it had been placed in a bag full of holes (cf. Lev 26:26; Hos 4:10; Mic 6:14). לו after לחם refers to the individual who clothes himself, and is to be explained from the phrase חם לי, "I am warm" (Kg1 1:1-2, etc.).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Consider your ways--literally, "Set your heart" on your ways. The plural implies, Consider both what ye have done (actively, Lam 3:40) and what ye have suffered (passively) [JEROME]. Ponder earnestly whether ye have gained by seeking self at the sacrifice of God.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts,.... The Lord God omniscient and omnipotent, that saw all their actions, and could punish for them; since they were so careful of their own houses, and adorning them, and so careless of his house; he would have them now sit down, and seriously think of these things, and of what he should further observe unto them: Consider your ways; their sinful ways, and repent of them, and forsake them, particularly their ingratitude before observed; and their civil ways, their common ways of life; their labour, work, and business, they were continually employed in; and observe the event of them; what success they had, what these issued in; whether there were not some visible tokens of the divine displeasure on them, which rendered all their attempts to support and enrich themselves and families vain, and of no effect: and they would do well to consider to what all this was to be imputed; whether it was not chiefly owing to this, their neglect of the house of God; and this he would have considered, not in a slight cursory way; but with great earnestness, diligence, and application of mind: "put", or "set your hearts upon your ways" (p); so it may be literally rendered. (p) "ponite corda vestra", V. L.; "ponite cor vestrum", Burkius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:5 Look at what’s happening to you (literally Set your heart on these matters): For the Hebrews, the heart is the place where thinking, feeling, and willing all occur. So this command (also 1:7; 2:15, 18) calls upon the people to think carefully and draw the proper conclusions about the connection between what’s happening to them (drought and poverty, 1:6) and their failure to restore proper worship of the Lord (1:8-9).