Are you putting God first in your life, or are other things taking His place?

Haggai 1 is a powerful call to examine our priorities. The people of Judah had returned from exile and focused on rebuilding their own homes while neglecting the temple of the Lord. Through the prophet Haggai, God confronts their misplaced priorities and calls them to put Him first.

Key Verse:
“Now then, the Lord of armies says this: ‘Consider your ways!’” – Haggai 1:5 (NASB)

Background Context:
Haggai prophesied during a time when the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian exile. They had started rebuilding the temple but soon became distracted by their own comfort and security. As a result, they faced hardship—crops failed, resources were scarce, and their efforts seemed fruitless. God, through Haggai, urged them to refocus on His work, promising blessings when they made Him their priority.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Haggai 1

Haggai Begins Temple Building

      1In the second year of Darius the king, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, 2“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘This people says, “The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt.”’” 3Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, 4“Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?” 5Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways! 6“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.”

      7Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Consider your ways! 8“Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the LORD. 9“You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the LORD of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. 10“Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce. 11“I called for a drought on the land, on the mountains, on the grain, on the new wine, on the oil, on what the ground produces, on men, on cattle, and on all the labor of your hands.”

      12Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him. And the people showed reverence for the LORD. 13Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, spoke by the commission of the LORD to the people saying, “ ‘I am with you,’ declares the LORD.” 14So the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, 15on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year of Darius the king.

Reflection on Haggai 1

Misplaced Priorities (Haggai 1:1-6)

• The people focused on rebuilding their houses while neglecting God’s house (Haggai 1:2-4). They had time for their own needs but not for God’s work. Do you ever find yourself too busy for God, putting your desires ahead of His will?
• They worked hard but saw little return (Haggai 1:5-6). No matter how much they did, it never seemed to be enough. When we neglect God’s priorities, we often feel unfulfilled.

A Call to Action (Haggai 1:7-11)

• God urges them to “Consider your ways!” (Haggai 1:7). Self-reflection is necessary to recognize when we are drifting from God’s will.
• They were experiencing hardship because they had ignored God’s house (Haggai 1:9-11). God sometimes allows difficulties to get our attention and bring us back to Him.

Obedience Leads to Blessing (Haggai 1:12-15)

• The people responded with obedience (Haggai 1:12). Instead of making excuses, they listened to God’s word. Are you willing to take action when God convicts your heart?
• God encouraged them, saying “I am with you” (Haggai 1:13). When we step out in faith to follow Him, He strengthens and blesses us.

Summary Key Points

• It’s easy to get distracted by personal pursuits and neglect God’s work.
• When we put our priorities above God’s, we will feel unfulfilled.
• God calls us to examine our ways and realign with His purpose.
• Obedience brings blessing and the assurance of His presence.

Application

• Evaluate your priorities—are there areas where you have placed your own desires above God’s will?
• Ask God to reveal distractions in your life that keep you from serving Him.
• Take steps to put God first, whether in your time, finances, or commitments.
• Trust that when you obey, God will provide and bless your efforts.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to examine my heart and consider my ways. Forgive me for times when I have placed my desires above Your will. Teach me to seek You first and to trust that You will take care of all my needs. May I be faithful in building Your kingdom and not just my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.