The LORD of Armies says this: “Think carefully about your ways. Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house; and I will be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the LORD. Haggai 1:7–8
One of the most incredible facts about your body is this: every single cell contains the entire formula for you. Every blood cell, every skin cell, even cells from your hair—what’s left of it—tell the complete story of everything that makes you who you are. The discovery of the scientific instruments and technology that give us this information has transformed medicine, criminology, and the church. Let me explain. Because physicians can use this technology to diagnose illnesses or learn about your tendency toward certain medical malfunctions, their ability to be accurate intheir diagnosis has greatly enhanced their effectiveness.
Investigators looking for the perpetrator of a crime can use anything—blood, hair, anything—to track down the ones responsible and put them behind bars.
“OK,” you’re probably saying, “but what does this have to do with the church?” In the time of the Old Testament, the people who worshiped at the temple lived in “paneled” houses. These lovely homes were places where the man was required to assume the responsibility of leading his family into the presence of the sovereign God every day. So these families were supposed to be the cells that made up the temple, each one containing the complete picture of what the whole Jewish community looked like.
Unfortunately, many of the men of Haggai’s time were not doing what the law re- quired. They were neglecting their responsibility as the spiritual heads of their homes. Today’s text gives us an unbelievable look at this truth. Even though God’s people were living in nice homes, His house was in ruins. So, through the prophet Haggai, God told the people to gather materials and build a temple to honor Him. He reminded them that their poverty was not from their homelessness but from His: “You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to be happy. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it” (v. 6).
The Lord told the people that until a public place was built that honored Him using their private homes as a model, they could continue to expect to live in spiritual squalor. Our homes are miniature churches. They ought to reveal the complete formula of what it looks like when our heavenly Father is celebrated—where His people are respected and tenderly protected, where leadership and humility look exactly like the dad.
Our homes ought to be places where we are as comfortable talking about God’s goodness and grace as we are about “What’s for dinner?” or “Whose socks are these?” You are the parish minister of your family. Your neighbors are living right next to a sanctuary. Do they know it? Show them—although I wouldn’t suggest buying a steeple for your garage. Your HOA probably wouldn’t let you put it up anyway.