July 25 ▪ Day 206

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 20:3
Haggai 1–2
Matthew 25
Psalms 22

Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:3)

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
     but every fool is quick to quarrel.

Meditation

Our verse focus today is Proverbs 20:3, which says, in the NIV, “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” It is familiar Biblical wisdom packaged in an apt and succinct verse. The upright and righteous are peacemakers — they avoid strife. But fools are known for their lack of patience and self-control.

We have seen these same principles in some of the earlier proverbs we have studied — Proverbs 14:29 (April 4, Day 94): Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly; Proverbs 16:32 (May 4, Day 124): Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city; and Proverbs 17:14 (May 14, Day 134): Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. Even Jesus speaks to this topic in Matthew 5:9 when he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

I like how the NKJV translates today’s proverb: “It is honorable for a man to stop striving, since any fool can start a quarrel.” I especially like the contrast between starting and stopping. Fools may start arguing or bickering, but a godly person will stop it — or simply step away from the quarrel.

Even though this proverb applies mostly to our interactions with other people, I also think about how it applies to our relationship with God. We like to argue or fight with God about what He does or does not do in the world and in our lives; with the Holy Spirit, we can stop striving. We can be still, and at peace.

Father God, help us to avoid strife — in our relationships, in our conversations, and in our prayers. Do not let us be so quick to quarrel or fight. Fill us with your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today we read Haggai, one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. It is a short book — only two chapters long — so we will both start and finish the book today. Haggai takes place not long after the events we read about in Daniel. In 539 BC, the Medes and Persians took over the throne in Babylonia; in 537 BC the Jews were allowed to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple. The Jews had been able to rebuild the temple’s foundation in the first two years after their return, but local opposition stopped them from continuing. It is now 520 BC, 16 years after the return, as Haggai prophesies to the Jews “in the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month (1:1).” As we would count time, it is the month of August.

Haggai contains five messages that occur over a four-month period in 520 BC. Haggai’s first prophecy is to encourage the Jews to finish the work on rebuilding the temple. He specifically calls on Zerubbabel, the Judean governor appointed by the Persian empire, and on Joshua, the high priest, to lead the rebuilding of the temple. Zerubbabel was a legitimate heir to the throne of David. Haggai helps the people to understand that even though Judah is now a subsidiary of the Persian empire, God’s plans still stand. The second message is a brief note of encouragement as the people begin rebuilding the temple. Even though Haggai’s prophecies occur in 520 BC, the work on rebuilding the temple continues until it is completed four years later.

The third message is again one of encouragement, especially since the grandeur of this rebuilt temple seems disappointing in comparison to Solomon’s temple that had been destroyed in 586 BC. But God promises that there will be great glory with this temple. In a fourth message, God promises that he will begin blessing the Jews for their obedience in rebuilding the temple. Finally, the last message is specifically one of encouragement for Zerubbabel.

In Haggai’s first message to the the people, the LORD asks the Israelites to consider their ways. Verse 6 gives a haunting assessment of the people’s condition. “You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” The Jews are in this plight because they have neglected the house of the LORD, while busying themselves with their own houses. So the LORD has called for a drought so that the people might come to their senses. It is a drought not just of water, but of any kind of fruitfulness — including the work of their hands (v. 11).

It is quite a damning picture. Have you ever felt like this? I identify with having a purse that seems to have holes in it. You struggle and strive, but never seem able to make ends meet. In the past, God has used this passage to remind me that I need to honor Him with my finances. When I tithe, God is faithful to help me — bringing in unexpected funds. But when I worry about my bills and neglect giving to the church, I find that I suddenly have more bills popping up. The car will need work. Utilities will go up. It truly does seem like my purse has holes in it. So I encourage you, if verse 6 stings you — if you feel like you are never satisfied, but are always scrambling — then consider your ways.

Verse 12 tells us, “And the people feared the LORD.” They hear the message from Haggai, and they heed it. Soon Haggai has another message for them. “I am with you,” says the LORD in verse 13. And by the 24th day of August, the work on the temple begins again (v. 15).

Not quite a month later, Haggai receives a third message for the people (2:1-9). Again, the LORD tells the people that He is with them. He tells them to be strong and work. He tells them not to fear. And then He gives a Messianic prophecy and a prophecy of the end times — God will shake the heavens and the earth, the desired of the nations will come, and the temple they are rebuilding will be filled with God’s glory.

The fourth message for the people occurs on the three-month anniversary of when they started to rebuild the temple again — the 24th day of the ninth month (November). “From this day on I will bless you,” the LORD says in verse 19.

In the final message, Haggai prophesies of political change. “I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms,” the LORD says in verse 22. Verse 23 continues, “ ‘I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.” Indeed, Zerubbabel becomes a double ancestor of Jesus Christ — both Mary and Joseph are descended from him (Luke 3:27; Matthew 1:12).

In Matthew 25, Jesus continues to speak of the need for believers to be vigilant. The first parable he tells emphasizes the importance of being ready for Christ’s return. He concludes the parable of the ten virgins by saying in verse 13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”

In the next parable, Jesus addresses what we will do as we wait for his return. We must take what God has given us and multiply it. We must be fruitful. If we let fear stop us from using the gifts that God has given us, we are worthless servants. There is no point in just existing; we must invest in the future, in God’s kingdom.

In the final parable, Jesus speaks of the reckoning that will happen “when the Son of Man comes in his glory (v. 31).” Here we learn that we minister to Christ himself when we minister to those who are marginalized and in need — including the poor, the sick, and those in prison. So, while we wait for Christ’s return, it’s not just a matter of being fruitful for God, but being relevant — dealing with matters of justice and mercy.

So, what things do we learn about God in this chapter? First, we learn that God keeps His own counsel. No one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return — not even Jesus Christ himself (Matthew 24:36). We also learn that this secret is deliberate. God does not want us to know when Christ will return; however, He does want us to be watchful, to be ready, and to be fruitful and faithful in the meantime.

The fact that we are not privy to all of God’s plans means that we must simply trust Him. Too often, as humans, we like to judge whether or not plans are worthy before we’ll put our trust in them. But with God, we place our trust in Him, rather than in our understanding of what He is doing. This is, in fact, quite necessary. As finite beings, it is impossible for us to fully comprehend all that is in God’s mind. So while here on earth, we develop our trust in God — even and especially as we are in the dark about some of what will happen.

Verse 15 talks about the master entrusting talents to his servants, “each according to his ability.” And this is also how God gifts us with talents and money. On the one hand, we feel somewhat slighted that some might have been given more ability than ourselves — but, as the parable shows us, there is a reciprocal effect. God gives ability; the servant uses the ability and multiplies things; then God gives even more. In other words, our response and our stewardship of the things we’ve been given so far will directly affect whether or not we get more responsibility and further gifts. Rather than be envious of one who seems to have been given so much more than myself, I need to seek to fully take advantage of the things God has already given me. And, let me tell you — God has given me enormous blessings, talents, and abilities. Even now, I feel like I’m only scratching the surface of what He would like me to do.

The words welcoming the saints in verse 34 are, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” This teaches us that God has plans that have been prepared even before life on earth ever began. We can scarcely comprehend that type of planning and preparation. We see but a glimmer of God’s eternal purposes. But Hallelujah! What a Savior we have.

Psalm 22 is the gorgeous Messianic psalm that speaks of the dying and crucified Christ who rises to reign triumphantly. The prophetic details in this psalm that were fulfilled when Christ was on the cross haunt me.

But today it is verse 3 that speaks to me. “Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.” Enthroned on the praises of Israel. What does that mean, exactly? I looked at the Hebrew verb that is being translated as “enthroned.” The verb means to sit, to remain, or to dwell. God dwells in our praises. Even though Jesus is at God’s right hand, and is with us always, when two or three are gathered in his name, Jesus is there in a special way. His presence is more felt or perceived, perhaps. In the same way, even though God is everywhere and omnipresent, when people praise Him, He is especially present in that praise. Perhaps the praise allows us to perceive Him better — and that is, quite simply, awesome. Hallelujah!

Father God, thank you that you dwell within our praises. Open our eyes to see you more clearly, and to recognize your presence. Thank you, too, that Jesus is with us in a special way when we gather in his name. Thank you for all that your Word teaches us. Help us to honor you with our talents and our money. Let us honor you first, and not try to give money to you after we’ve paid our other bills. We want your blessing, not purses with holes in them. Most of all, we thank you for your Holy Spirit. Work within us so that we will be faithful, fruitful, and watchful — by your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.