Beyond Our Stuff!

Following the Babylonian captivity, the temple and Jerusalem had been left in ruins. Then, even though some had returned to the area, it was still in shambles. Those who had returned had focused on their own stuff while ignoring the temple of God that had once been so majestic. Therefore we read. . .

"(7) 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: CONSIDER YOUR WAYS. (8) Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD (9) You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of MY HOUSE that LIES IN RUINS, WHILE EACH OF YOU BUSIES HIMSELF WITH HIS OWN HOUSE." ( Haggai 1:7-9 ESV)

The work then began under the direction of Zerubbabel ( Haggai 1:12), setting the stage for the eventual work on the wall of the city that would take place under the oversight of Nehemiah. It was not the time for them to dwell in "paneled houses" while the house of God lay in ruins. ( Haggai 1:4) Once the people began to focus on the THINGS OF GOD He would no longer withhold His blessings. ( Haggai 2:19)

Oh, how easy it is to get caught up in our own lives, so busy with our own stuff, working out our own plans, taking care of our own concerns, focused on our own little world, while forgetting the greater focus of the THINGS OF GOD! Certainly there are things to tend to with regard to our personal lives. However, it is godliness that relates to both this present life and the life to come. ( 1 Timothy 4:8) It is of necessity to keep in mind the THINGS OF GOD!

At an early age, years before He began His public ministry, Jesus began seeking the things of the Father. It was at the age of twelve ( Luke 2:42) when his parents searched for him, only to find Him in the temple sitting among the teachers where He was listening and asking questions.

Jesus' response to His earthly parents was. . .
"And he said to them, 'Why were you looking for me? DID YOU NOT KNOW THAT I MUST BE IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE?'" ( Luke 2:49 ESV)

Some translations say, "be about My Father's business." (i.e. KJV & NKJV) The Greek phrasing does not contain either "house" or "business" but more literally reads, "Not had you known that in the of the of father of me it is necessary to be me?" To smooth that out into the word order of the English language we might phrase it similar to "Had you not known that in the [things] of my father it is necessary for me to be?" The central focus of our Lord's statement emphasized the importance of the THINGS OF GOD rather than the things of self being of necessity to be carried out. It was that focus which took our Lord all the way to the cross and thus to fulfill the Father's Will on our behalf.

Let us guard against getting so busy with our own stuff that we forget or neglect the things of eternal significance. Like Christ, we also have a life purpose beyond this earthly sphere. May our lives draw the attention of others toward that as well.

Have a great day CONSIDERING GOD'S WAYS!
Carl

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