Reasons why the work rebuilding the temple didn't get done.
- Comparison to the Past
- Ezra 3:11–13
- Even before outside opposition happened, problems came from the inside.
- People who were excited may have been discouraged by people who knew how much better the first temple was.
- Opposition from Without
- Misplaced Priorities v3
- It is good to work and rest and take care of one's family, but we must make time for God too, and must keep our priorities straight.
How to guard the fire for time with Jesus:
- Do not let comparison with the past discourage obedience in the presence
- Reject a defeastist attitude
- Nothing is greater than God and His power.
- Reject fear and naysayers.
- God will supply our every need to serve Him.
- Haggai 2:4
- Confess our wrong priorities and make adjustment v7
- Our actual priorities aren't always what we would say they are.
- Recommit
- God still wanted to use them, even after 16 years of neglecting Him.
- The purpose wasn't guilt, but to get them to take action.
Tags: priorities
