““This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: The people are saying, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord.’” Then the Lord sent this message through the prophet Haggai: “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?”
Haggai 1:2-4 NLT
There are two important applications to this passage in the modern church. Firstly is the fact that though we don’t need a Jewish temple to worship God anymore, this is only because in spirit and truth, our mortal shells are his temple. Being made in his image, this makes perfect sense. We are built to display his glory in creation. It is therefore our responsibility to seed that temple over to him and make it perfected for his work and will. Secondly is our corporate body, the church. This is not a place but a person of polity and harmonious union. This person is Christ’s body and should also be thought of as temple that too often lies in ruins. In both cases, we often let both things lay desolate and bear internally while we build up everything that surrounds it. Instead of consecrating it for it’s true function, we live temple-adjacent and applaud our intentions and efforts. God doesn’t like this and he sent Haggai with stark and choice words for those that claim to want to worship him and live among the blessings of people in active relationship with God.
JOSH McGARY. COM 