Most people make resolutions at the first of the year. Whether a person follows through on his resolutions depends on whether or not he makes them a priority. Setting priorities is something we all do; sometimes we call them “resolutions.” We all need to establish priorities.

Our lesson today is about Haggai, a prophet who set some priorities for the nation of Israel at a crucial time in its history. Haggai wrote the short, self-titled book in the group known as minor prophets at the end of the Old Testament. His name means “the joyous one.” He is a contemporary of Zechariah, who is also a prophet. Together, they give their challenge to the nation of Israel in about 520 bc, after Israel returns from captivity in Babylon.

The message of Haggai is simple and clear: “Rebuild the temple!” Make it a priority. It is time!

A Nation Released
King Nebuchadnezzar and his armies had destroyed the beautiful temple of Solomon—and the walls of Jerusalem—in 586 bc. According to Josephus the historian, Nebuchadnezzar removed the Ark of the Covenant, and all the golden articles of the temple, and carried them away to Babylon. Also, he deported the people, especially the young men, back to Babylon.

However, Cyrus II came to the throne as the Medes and Persians conquered the Babylonians in about 559 bc; after establishing his sovereignty over the Medes, Cyrus II took full control in about 539 bc. We find much of this history from the “Cyrus Cylinder,” a baked clay cylinder found in Babylon (Iraq today) and now housed in the British Museum.

Cyrus is unlike his counterparts, the leaders of the Assyrians and Babylonians, in that he does not destroy the land he conquers, nor does he keep the captives. This also may be the hand of God at work to release the people of Israel.

Cyrus releases the children of Israel to return to their homeland in about 536 bc. Not all of them return immediately. The land of Israel and the temple are in ruins. Those who do return begin to rebuild the temple almost immediately. But apathy sets in after a few years and the work stops. Some also say work stops as a result of opposition and criticism of the people who had occupied the land before the return of the captives. This sets the stage for the prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah.

The Prophet’s Priorities
Haggai gives a clarion call to the nation to set a priority of finishing the temple. He points out that the people have finished their own houses and yet the “house of the Lord” is still in ruins.

Haggai also points out to the people that God’s hand is upon them: The people have planted much, yet harvested little. They have eaten much, yet still are not full. They have earned wages, yet put them in a purse with holes in it. In other words, they are not making any progress. The reason, Haggai says, is the people have not made it a priority to complete the temple of the Lord.

The People’s Response
As a result of Haggai’s message, the leaders of the people, Zerubbabel and Joshua, and all the people become “stirred-up” in their spirit. They go to work and finish the temple in just four years, in 516 bc.

When we decide to make something a priority, we can get it done. Is God speaking to you about something that needs to be accomplished? Is it simply a matter of “setting priorities”? May we take the message from Haggai to heart and make sure our priorities are in order.