09/07/2026
In Monday’s Labor Day reading (Haggai 2:18-19 Part 2), we consider where God is going with this latest message from Haggai, His prophet. He’s already established that they had been experiencing divine correction because of their disobedience – both in not rebuilding God’s house and focusing on their own. Their crops never produced as much as they expected. God lets them know that He was behind their struggles. But things had changed recently – they had begun rebuilding again. And with the messages from Haggai, they now understood the previous 15 years much better. But God desires that they reflect on these things – to learn & to grow from them. And with that done, He then wants them to consider the future, starting with that day, December 18th. So, God asks, “Is the seed still in the barn? Even including the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate and the olive tree, it has not borne fruit.”
Yes, it is. It is December after all! In other words, this upcoming year’s crop is totally uncertain, but as they’ve learned, it is in God’s hands. And then God says it. Says what? The Lord now reveals that He would bless them, starting on that day, December 18th. What has seemed like a very negative exchange was just a build-up to this wonderful promise – “I will bless you.” The past was full of disappointment. Life was so difficult. But with their renewed vigor, placing God first – when they returned to a God-centered life, shown outwardly by their commitment to build the Temple – God says, they will began to enjoy His blessing of fruitfulness. So now, the founding of the temple marks a turning point in their spiritual and temporal fortunes. Whereas there had been all ceremony and no worship, now God mattered to them. Their days seeking creation’s blessings without the Creator are over. God has marked this date off on His divine calendar – He will bless them.
Some may wonder – “Why didn’t it start immediately after they started to rebuild?” There can be many reasons. One is that it may take a little more time than the immediate turnaround to wipe out the divine correction from their unfaithfulness & disobedience. In other words, the consequences needed to still play out. But once it had run its course, then God’s blessing would begin. Another possible reason is to ensure that the people are committed to doing what they say. How often do we promise to change bad behavior, & it only lasts a very short time? Could God be waiting to see that our commitment is real? And there are other possible reasons too. But they have now heard – God would begin to bless them with better harvests. It was not immediate, but they had shown that they understood – it was the right thing regardless. We need to do the right thing just because it is the right thing. And then trust God to work out the details. These Israelites now know that God will bless them moving forward.
