Advent - We Have Found The KingIsampula

Haggai served as prophet when Judah had returned from her exile in Babylon and was rebuilding the temple. His name carries the meaning of “my holiday,” “celebration,” or “festive.” What a fitting moniker for this season of the year!

God’s people-come-home had begun rebuilding the temple when they were stopped by the intrigues of the Samaritans. Following an eighteen-year long pause, Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to resume the work. Haggai exhorted them with repeated messages of “Be strong; I am with you. Do not fear.” And so they built together.

God also communicates through Haggai that He will “shake,” and shake all that can be shaken: heavens, earth, sea, land, and nations. We shake things to stir, separate or settle them. Perhaps God was doing a bit of all of these functions with His shaking. Whatever else shaking does, it rearranges things and they are not as they were. This declaration of shaking is the setting for two wonderful announcements.

“What is desired by all nations will come.”

“I will fill this house with glory.”

And the glory of this temple will be greater than the previous temple, even as worldly glory is surpassed by heavenly glory.

So it is that “what” is desired by all nations turns out to be “Who.” You know Who. In the midst of the restoration of good things, the Better comes. I have watched my friend Colton White (college pastor, First Baptist, Belton) experience significant losses of family members. Through-out his mourning, he consistently communicated that “Jesus is better.” What a precious truth!

Hear the ancient message: be strong; rebuild; do not fear; watch for the Desire of Nations. He has come! He will come!

Dr. Shawn Shannon, Director, Baptist Student Ministry