Haggai 1:5 Now therefore thus said the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Nearly twenty years had passed away since a remnant of God's people had returned captivity. Dung the whole of that time nothing had done to restore the temple. Yet the people had thought of their own comfort. they dwelt "in ceiled houses." Haggai arose to point out their mistake. He cries, "Consider your ways" So they would discover — 1. The reason of their misfortunes — Which was" that they had thought of themselves and had forgotten God. It is the explanation of all unhappiness. If you wish to be miserable — be selfish. Selfishness looks not at what it has, but at what it has not; casts covetous eyes on what others have. The selfish man thinks more of what he has than what he is, and disregards the needs of others. All these are so many doors to unhappiness. He that will save his life shall lose it. 2. The secret of blessedness. "Render to God the things that are God's." "Build the temple," said Haggai. Put yourselves in harmony with God and His purposes. Philosophers have discovered that happiness is not found when it is sought directly. Seek it obliquely. "Live for others." But the doctrine fails because men are sinful. To join them is to join them in their sin, and sin is the gate of all wretchedness. Happiness can only come by living for another, when that other is sinless. Live for God, and the secret of all blessedness is discovered. This is the true" Imitation of Christ," whose "meat and drink" it was to do His Father's will. (Herbert Windross.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.WEB: Now therefore this is what Yahweh of Armies says: Consider your ways. |
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