Haggai 1:8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, said the LORD. God's material temple at Jerusalem was typical of the spiritual temple to be erected in the hearts of the people. The words of text are applicable — I. TO THE SPIRITUAL HOUSE TO BE RAISED IN EVERY INDIVIDUAL'S HEART. St. Paul, writing to the Corinthians, says, "Ye are the temple of God; and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you." Yet what minister can look over his congregation and not see manifest proof that in the case of too many this temple is altogether in ruins. Even where there is good reason to believe that the rubbish of sinful habits has been cleared away, the foundation been rightly laid, and the building is making progress, will not most allow that' the lets and hindrances perpetually occurring, render the exhortations of the prophets both salutary and expedient? Some may say, What can we do in this matter? Is not the building of this spiritual house the work of God? Yes, it is. But because God's material temple was to be raised, not by human power, but by God's Spirit, therefore the people were urged to persevere and fear no obstacle: and it is because God worketh in us both to will and do, therefore we are exhorted to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Man can do nothing in spiritual things without God, and God seldom acts without being pleased to use the co-operation of man. We are to be active in the carrying on of t-hies spiritual building, that the Lord may take pleasure in it, and that He may be glorified thereby. II. TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OUR OWN LAND. But there are many living in our land without Christian ordinances, and in a state of heathenism. Then there is a call to "build this house." III. TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. Our charity should indeed begin at home, but it should not stay there. Missionary exertion has a reflex effect. If ever there was a Church, or nation, to which God, by His providential dispensations, might be supposed in an especial manner to say, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel," that Church and that nation is our own. (T. Grantham, B. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. |
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