1. Building Gods House

3. The people of God were carried into Babylonian captivity in three successive waves of deportation, occurring in 606, 597 and 586 B.C. When the Israelites were carried into Babylonian captivity as punishment for their idolatry, the temple of Solomon was looted and destroyed.

4. Cyrus, king of Persia, after conquering Babylonia in 539 B.C., allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, and authorized the reconstruction of the Temple. This work started shortly after the first exiles returned from Babylon in 538 B.C., but activity was soon abandoned because of outside oppression.

5. Serving as Gods spokesman, Haggai encouraged the captives who had returned to Jerusalem to complete the rebuilding of the Temple. Beginning in 520 B.C., Haggai and his fellow prophet, Zechariah, urged the people to resume this important task (Hag. 1:1-15).

6. Specifically, he charged Zerubbabel, who led the first group of captives back to Jerusalem, to finish the work of reconstruction (Hag. 2:1- 9, esp. vs. 4). Zerubbabel evidenced courage in moving men to action, and the Temple was completed five years later (Ezra 3:10-13; 4:1-3; 5:1-2; 6:13-18).

7. The church is built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone, and the inspired revelation of the apostles and prophets (Matt. 16:13-19; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-10).

8. While apostasy is an ever-present danger, Sacred Scripture provides an ever-reliable solution (Isa. 8:19-20; Acts 20:25-32; 1 Tim. 4:1-6). Are we following the Biblical pattern regarding the work, worship and organization of the church? Do we acknowledge its terms of membership and demands for discipline?

9. Just as Moses at Mount Sinai received living oracles on behalf of the people, today gospel preachers and teachers must speak as those who are communicating the utterances of God (Acts 7:37-38; 1 Pet. 4:11).

10. If we, like the returned remnant, have neglected spiritual duty for personal pursuits, let us remember the admonition of our Lord Jesus Christ: Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matt. 6:24-34, esp. vs. 34).

11. Like Haggai & Zerubbabel of old were committed to the rebuilding of the temple, may modern disciples be equally committed to the building up of the body of Christ (Rom. 14:19; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Thess. 5:8-11).