After the exile, the Jews immediately began rebuilding the temple.

Their new rival was an intermingling of former Assyrians and Israelites which created a new race of people called Samaritans.

The Jews put their own homes and farms ahead of the house of the Lord.

Instead of worrying about our rights, we should be worried about our souls.


Haggai speaks 4 times to the people
1. 1st day of 6th month- a word of rebuke (1:2-8)
There was a connection between their spiritual failure and their economic failure.

God first, yourself next = better life

2. 21st day of next month- a word of encouragement (2:4-5)
“keep up the good work.”
God is cheering us on and is true to His part of His covenant with us.

3. 24th day of the 9th month – a word of reminder (2:11-15)
What went on inside their hearts was more important than what went on inside the building.

4. Later that same day – a word of anticipation (2:20-23)
There is coming a day when earthly kingdoms will be overthrown and replaced by a messianic kingdom.

We will no longer have a poor imitation, but the real thing.

1. Habakkuk has a lot of questions for God. (1:2-4)
The book of Habakkuk reveals to us that it's OK to ask God “Why.”
Doubts are a natural response for the thinking person.
We need to be careful how we ask those questions and handle those doubts.


2. God gave him an answer. (1:5-11)
The Babylonians are going to destroy Jerusalem.
Habakkuk again asks, “why?”
Never does he doubt God Himself. (12-13)


3. Habakkuk's conclusion- God's will must be done. (2:1)

God will choose to use evil for His good.
At the same time, God will not allow evil to go unpunished.


The Christian life
1. It is a struggle.
2. Doubts are a tool of the devil to try to get us to rule God out of the picture.
3. It is not something that is lived event to event.

Habakkuk 2:4- “ the righteous by faith shall live” or "the righteous shall live by faith.”

What God wants from us: to trust that He has the answers and that He is the One we should ask.

Zephaniah was a descendant of King Hezekiah.
Nahum condemned the city of Ninevah.
Zephaniah spoke against Judah.


1. This generation saw the need for changes to be made.

Possible reasons (for them and for us)
a. intimidation- for Judah- the approaching Assyrian army
for us- After we get into trouble, then it crosses our minds to go to God.
b. fear- for Judah- the warning of destruction
for us the threat of hell and eternal condemnation helps us to make up our minds
c. inspiration- for Judah- young King Josiah
for us- having a fine Christian example in your life can be a can be a turning point for you

Sooner or later a spiritual relationship with God has to develop.


2. “This generation turned their backs on God, but not their faces.

Their desire to do the right thing never penetrated to where people lived transformed lives for God.

Reasons
a. Idolatry (1:4-5)
b. Ignorance (1:6)
c. Irreverence (1:9)
d. Irrelevance (1:12)

If you concentrate on knowing God better and more personally, then any reform you may do will be inward
​as well as outward.