Cyrus, the Persian King, sent the Jews back to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritans disrupted the project and the rebuilding came to a halt for some eighteen years. The remnant that had chosen to return lost their hearts in the rebuilding project. Instead, they spent their energy building their own houses, getting married, starting their business. After all, God did not need a house.
When David told prophet Nathan that he wanted to build a Temple for God, God declined, saying that He had been wandering with the Israelites since liberating them from Egypt and had never demanded a Temple.
I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.
In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" (1 Samuel 7:6-7).
Through prophet Isaiah, God declared to us clearly that He was the Creator of everything. What else can man build for Him?
Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD (Isaiah 66:1-2a).
In Jesus' time, the Jews worshipped God in the Second Temple which was further extended by Herod the Great. The Samaritans worshipped God in Mount Gerizim. When Jesus met a Samaritan woman in John 4, she asked Jesus where they should worship God. Jesus answered neither in Jerusalem, nor in Mount Gerizim but in spirit and truth (John 4:23).
In fact, in 70 A.D. the Roman army burnt down the Second Temple. There was no more Temple worship. Yet, Judaism survives. Therefore, it shows that God does not need a Temple to dwell, nor do men need a Temple to worship God. God dwells everywhere and men worship God in spirit and truth. The Jerusalem Temple is redundant for both God and His worshippers. So, why did the God of Haggai insist on the rebuilding of the Temple? See how jealous and impatient God had been.
Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?
Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared.
You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes (Haggai 1:4-6).
God told the Jews that if they ignored the rebuilding of the Temple, all their other efforts would be a waste of energy. It would be like putting their wages into a bag with holes! Was God being jealous?
I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent for my dwelling.
In all places where I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word with any of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" (1 Samuel 7:6-7).
Through prophet Isaiah, God declared to us clearly that He was the Creator of everything. What else can man build for Him?
Thus says the LORD: "Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD (Isaiah 66:1-2a).
In Jesus' time, the Jews worshipped God in the Second Temple which was further extended by Herod the Great. The Samaritans worshipped God in Mount Gerizim. When Jesus met a Samaritan woman in John 4, she asked Jesus where they should worship God. Jesus answered neither in Jerusalem, nor in Mount Gerizim but in spirit and truth (John 4:23).
In fact, in 70 A.D. the Roman army burnt down the Second Temple. There was no more Temple worship. Yet, Judaism survives. Therefore, it shows that God does not need a Temple to dwell, nor do men need a Temple to worship God. God dwells everywhere and men worship God in spirit and truth. The Jerusalem Temple is redundant for both God and His worshippers. So, why did the God of Haggai insist on the rebuilding of the Temple? See how jealous and impatient God had been.
Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?
Now therefore thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider how you have fared.
You have sown much, and harvested little; you eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes (Haggai 1:4-6).
God told the Jews that if they ignored the rebuilding of the Temple, all their other efforts would be a waste of energy. It would be like putting their wages into a bag with holes! Was God being jealous?
The building of a Temple has never been a purely religious business. Though the Temple provides for the spiritual needs of individuals, it serves political, cultural and economic purposes as well.
Firstly, Temple worship unites a people.
Secondly, the building process requires a highly centralized administrative machine to handle all the logistic matters. An efficient bureaucracy is needed.
Thirdly, the successful building of a Temple showcases the cultural strength of a country. It provides a base for education and academic researches.
Lastly, once a Temple is built, a lot of economy will flourish around it. Therefore, building a Temple serves a nation more than a god.
What did God say about the rebuilding of the second Temple?
Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the LORD (Haggai 1:8).
God does not need a Temple so that He may appear in His glory. Rather, a king needs a Temple to show off his glory. A people need a Temple to keep and develop their faith. Man needs a Temple to uplift his spirit, to nourish his soul. God doesn't. Rather, it is God's will to uplift our spirit, to save our souls that He urged the Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
Firstly, Temple worship unites a people.
Secondly, the building process requires a highly centralized administrative machine to handle all the logistic matters. An efficient bureaucracy is needed.
Thirdly, the successful building of a Temple showcases the cultural strength of a country. It provides a base for education and academic researches.
Lastly, once a Temple is built, a lot of economy will flourish around it. Therefore, building a Temple serves a nation more than a god.
What did God say about the rebuilding of the second Temple?
Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may appear in my glory, says the LORD (Haggai 1:8).
God does not need a Temple so that He may appear in His glory. Rather, a king needs a Temple to show off his glory. A people need a Temple to keep and develop their faith. Man needs a Temple to uplift his spirit, to nourish his soul. God doesn't. Rather, it is God's will to uplift our spirit, to save our souls that He urged the Jews to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
Dear Lord, for our good, You give us specific commands as well as general principles. Let us humbly follow Your will and live. Amen.
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