Godchaser Podcast
Join Evan Evans on The God Chaser Podcast, a weekly exploration of faith, spirituality, and personal growth centered on Jesus Christ. Evan, a devoted believer and captivating host guides listeners through engaging conversations and thought-provoking discussions that deepen their understanding of Christ and His teachings.
We delve into topics such as Christ's teachings, the power of prayer, the role of the Holy Spirit, and the importance of community in spiritual growth. The God Chaser Podcast aims to inspire and challenge listeners, equipping them with the tools and insights needed to live a more fulfilling, Christ-centered life.
Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning your faith journey, The God Chaser Podcast with Evan Evans supports and nourishes your spiritual growth. Subscribe to Apple Podcasts and join us each week as we chase after the heart of Jesus, embracing the transformative power of His love and grace.
Godchaser Podcast
Your Comfort or God's House? The Prophet Haggai Challenges Our Modern Priorities
Haggai delivers an urgent wake-up call about misplaced priorities that speaks directly to our busy, distracted lives. When we prioritize personal comfort over spiritual growth, we experience the emptiness of working hard without satisfaction while God's house—our relationship with Him—lies in ruins.
• Historical context: 520 BC, 18 years after Jewish exiles returned from Babylon, temple remained unbuilt while people lived in comfortable houses
• The excuse "The time isn't right yet" mirrors our modern postponement of spiritual priorities
• Material comfort without spiritual alignment leads to dissatisfaction—"earning wages only to put them in a purse with holes"
• God's command to "give careful thought to your ways" calls for honest self-evaluation of priorities
• The people's quick response shows what happens when God's Spirit moves hearts toward His purposes
• Comparison discourages us—focus on God's presence rather than impressive results
• Promise that "the glory of this present house will be greater than the former" fulfilled in Jesus Christ
• Application includes examining priorities, identifying what needs rebuilding, taking practical steps, and resisting comparison
• As temples of God's Spirit, we're called to build lives that provide suitable dwelling places for His presence
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Keep chasing after God
Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, where we pursue the heart of God and explore the depths of His wisdom. I'm your host, evan Evans. What gets your attention first your comfort or God's priorities? It's an honest question we all face, and one that a small but powerful prophet named Haggai addressed head-on over 2,500 years ago. Picture this You've just returned from a long exile, finally free to rebuild your homeland. You start strong, but then opposition comes, costs rise, energy wanes, so you shift focus to your own house, your own comfort, your own security, while God's house sits in ruins. Sound familiar? Maybe it's not a physical temple, but how often do we renovate our lives while neglecting our souls? Invest in our careers while our relationship with God deteriorates? Build our comfort while kingdom priorities crumble?
Speaker 1:In today's episode, we explore Haggai, one of the shortest books in the Bible, but one with an incredibly relevant message about priorities. In just 38 verses, this post-exilic prophet delivers a wake-up call that speaks directly to our busy, distracted lives. You'll discover why. The time isn't right is often code for my priorities are wrong. What happens when we put personal comfort before spiritual growth? How Jesus fulfills Haggai's vision of a temple filled with greater glory. Practical steps for rebuilding what matters most in your own life. Whether you're feeling spiritually stagnant, overwhelmed by competing priorities, or ready for a fresh start with God, haggai's message offers both challenge and hope.
Speaker 2:Welcome to the God Chaser podcast, the ultimate destination for those yearning to cultivate a passionate, intimate relationship with God. Join your host, Evan Evans, as he explores the depths of scripture, shares inspiring testimonies and provides practical guidance to help you become a true God Chaser, Discover the transformative power of pursuing God's presence and be inspired to reignite your spiritual journey. Subscribe now on Apple Podcasts and get ready to embark on an adventure that will change your life forever. Welcome to the God Chaser Podcast. Let the chase begin.
Speaker 1:Last week, we explored Zephaniah's powerful prophecies about the day of the Lord and God's promise to rejoice over his people with singing. Today, we're turning to Haggai, a prophet whose message about rebuilding God's house speaks directly to our priorities and points us to Jesus Christ in remarkable ways. Christ in remarkable ways. Haggai may be one of the shortest books in the Bible, but its message about putting first things first couldn't be more relevant to our busy, distracted lives. So let's dive in and discover what this post-exilic prophet teaches us about building what truly matters. To understand Haggai's message, we need to grasp the historical moment. The year is 520 BC, about 18 years after the first group of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. These people had experienced something their ancestors could only dream of freedom from captivity and permission to rebuild their homeland. Yet when Haggai begins prophesying, the temple of God lies in ruins, while the people live in comfortable homes. They had started rebuilding the temple when they first returned, but opposition from neighbors and their own discouragement had caused them to abandon the project. Ezra, chapter 4, verses 1 to 5, and chapter 4, verse 24. Haggai, chapter 1, verse 2, captures their attitude. This is what the Lord Almighty says. These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house. Notice they didn't say the temple should never be rebuilt, just that the time wasn't right yet. How often do we use similar language? I'll get serious about my relationship with God when life settles down. I'll start serving others when I have more time. I'll address that broken relationship when the moment feels right. The people had good reasons for delay Building materials were expensive. Their neighbors opposed the project. The work was difficult. But Haggai cuts through their excuses to reveal the real issue misplaced priorities. This situation mirrors our modern tendency to postpone spiritual priorities while advancing personal comfort. We renovate our homes while neglecting our souls. We invest in our careers while our relationships with God and others deteriorate. We pursue financial security while ignoring eternal values. Jesus addressed this same tendency in Matthew, chapter 6, verse 33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The principle is clear when we prioritize God's concerns, he takes care of ours.
Speaker 1:Haggai doesn't mince words about the consequences of wrong priorities. In chapter 1, verses 3 to 6, he delivers God's message. Is it a time for you, yourselves, to be living in your paneled houses while this house remains a ruin. Now this is what the Lord Almighty says Give careful thought to your ways. 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 contrast is stark Paneled houses, luxurious by ancient standards, versus God's ruined house.
Speaker 1:The people had built comfortable lives while leaving God's dwelling place in rubble. They had energy and resources for personal projects, but claimed to lack both for spiritual ones. The consequences Haggai describes sound remarkably modern Working hard but never getting ahead. Earning money but never having enough, consuming but never feeling satisfied. This describes many people today who chase material success while ignoring spiritual emptiness. Jesus warned against this same trap in Luke, chapter 12, verses 16 to 21, telling the parable of the rich fool who built bigger barns for his crops but neglected his relationship with God when the man died unexpectedly. Jesus asked Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself? This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God. The issue isn't that God opposes comfort or success. The problem comes when we pursue these things at the expense of spiritual priorities. When we build our lives while ignoring our relationship with God, we create a foundation that ultimately cannot satisfy. Haggai's diagnosis gets to the heart of human nature. We naturally drift towards serving ourselves rather than serving God. We default to building our own kingdoms rather than seeking His kingdom. This tendency appears in every generation and every culture.
Speaker 1:Haggai's solution is direct and practical. In chapter 1, verses 7 to 8, he delivers God's command. This is what the Lord Almighty says Give careful thought to your ways, go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored, says the Lord. The phrase give careful thought to your ways appears twice in this chapter. It literally means set your heart upon your ways chapter. It literally means set your heart upon your ways, examine your priorities, consider your choices, reflect on the direction of your life. God calls for honest self-evaluation before external action. This self-examination should lead to practical steps. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house. God doesn't just want contemplation, he wants construction. Spiritual priorities must translate into concrete actions. The motivation Haggai provides is beautiful so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored. God desires a dwelling place, not because he needs shelter, but because he wants relationship with his people.
Speaker 1:The temple represented God's presence among them. Jesus expanded this concept dramatically. When he cleared the temple, he declared it should be a house of prayer for all nations Mark, chapter 11, verse 17. Later he spoke of his own body as the temple. John, chapter 2, verse 21. After his resurrection, paul taught that believers themselves are God's temple. 1 Corinthians, chapter 6, verse 19. This means Haggai's call to rebuild isn't just about ancient construction projects. It's about creating space in our lives for God's presence. It's about building spiritual disciplines, healthy relationships and kingdom priorities into the structure of our daily routines. What would it look like for you to give careful thought to your ways this week? Perhaps it means honestly examining how you spend your time, money and energy. Maybe it means identifying spiritual disciplines you've neglected while pursuing other goals.
Speaker 1:The remarkable thing about Haggai's message is how quickly the people responded. Haggai, chapter 1, verses 12 to 15. Then Zerubbabel, son of Sheltiel, joshua, son of Jozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord, their God, and the message of the prophet Haggai, and the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the Lord's messenger gave this message of the Lord to the people I am with you, declares the Lord. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel and the spirit of Joshua and the spirit of the whole remnant of the people. They came and began to work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God. Within 23 days of Haggai's first message, the people were back at work on the temple. Their response shows what happens when God's Spirit moves people's hearts toward His priorities. Notice the progression. They obeyed. They feared the Lord. God assured them of His presence. He stirred their spirits and they began working.
Speaker 1:This pattern appears throughout Scripture when people align themselves with God's purposes. Jesus saw similar responses during his ministry when he called fishermen to follow him. At once, they left their nets and followed him. Matthew, chapter 4, verse 20. When Zacchaeus encountered Jesus, he immediately promised to give half his possessions to the poor and repay anyone he had cheated four times over. Luke, chapter 19, verse 8. God's promise I am with you echoes throughout scripture. Moses heard it at the burning. Bush Exodus, chapter 3, verse 12. Joshua received it before entering the promised land. Joshua, chapter 1, verse 5. And Jesus gave it as his final promise to his disciples, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew, chapter 28, verse 20. This divine presence makes the difference between human effort and spirit-empowered action when we align our priorities with God's. He doesn't just command us to work, he empowers us for the task.
Speaker 1:About two months after the people resumed work, some began to get discouraged. The new temple didn't compare to Solomon's magnificent structure that the older generation remembered. Haggai, chapter 2, verses 2-3, addresses this Speak to Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua, son of Josedach, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them who of you is left? Who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? Comparison had stolen their joy? The older people remembered the gold, silver and precious stones of Solomon's temple. The current projects seem pitiful by comparison. Their discouragement was affecting the younger generation, who had never seen the original temple.
Speaker 1:This speaks to our modern tendency to compare our spiritual lives, ministries or achievements to others. Social media makes this comparison trap even more dangerous. We see carefully curated glimpses of other people's successes and feel inadequate about our own efforts. But God's response through Haggai is encouraging, but now be strong. Zerubbabel, declares the Lord, be strong. Joshua, son of Josedach, the high priest, be strong. All you, people of the land, declares the Lord, and work, for I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty.
Speaker 1:Haggai, chapter 2, verse 4. Three times God says be strong, and twice he promises his presence. Strength comes not from impressive buildings or spectacular results, but from God's presence with us in the work. Jesus addressed similar discouragement when his disciples worried about their limitations. When they couldn't feed the multitude, he multiplied their small offering of loaves and fish. Matthew, chapter 14, verses 13 to 21. When they felt inadequate for their mission, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to empower them. Acts, chapter 1, verse 8. The key is focusing on faithfulness rather than size, on obedience rather than comparison, on God's presence rather than human resources.
Speaker 1:Haggai's encouragement continues with an amazing promise in chapter 2, verses 6 to 9. This is what the Lord Almighty says. In a little while, I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and what is desired by all nations will come and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord Almighty. The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house, says the Lord Almighty. And in this place I will grant peace, declares the Lord Almighty.
Speaker 1:This prophecy looks beyond the immediate temple reconstruction to something far greater. The phrase what is desired by all nations will come has messianic implications. The Hebrew word, translated, desired, can mean delight or precious things, but many scholars see it pointing to the Messiah who would bring blessing to all nations. The New Testament confirms this interpretation. Hebrews, chapter 12, verses 26 to 28, quotes this passage and applies it to Christ's first coming and the establishment of his kingdom. The author writes but now he has promised. The words once more indicate the removing of what can be shaken, that is, created things, so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful.
Speaker 1:Jesus himself is the fulfillment of this prophecy. When he entered the temple courts, he brought glory greater than Solomon's temple ever possessed. The gold and silver were impressive, but they paled in comparison to the presence of God incarnate. Luke, chapter 2, verses 27 to 32. Simeon's recognition of this truth when he held the infant Jesus in the temple, moved by the spirit, he went into the temple courts when the parents brought in the child Jesus, simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, israel. The promise of peace that concludes Haggai's prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who declared in John, chapter 14, verse 27,. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Speaker 1:Haggai's final message, delivered on the same day as his promise about greater glory, addresses the relationship between spiritual priorities and material blessing In chapter 2, verses 15 to 19,. He asked the people to consider how things had gone before they resumed temple work versus after they prioritized God's house. Give careful thought to this from this day on. Consider how things were with you before one stone was laid on another in the Lord's temple. When anyone came to a heap of 20 measures, there were only 10. When anyone went to a wine vat to draw 50 measures, there were only 20. From this day on. I will bless you. Haggai, chapter 2, verses 15 to 19.
Speaker 1:The principle is clear when we put God's priorities first, he blesses our efforts. This doesn't mean automatic prosperity for every believer, but it does mean that God honors those who honor Him. Jesus taught this same principle in Matthew, chapter 6, verses 31 to 33. So do not worry saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or what shall we wear, for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these. The blessing isn't just material. It's the satisfaction that comes from living in alignment with God's purposes. When our priorities match His priorities, we experience the peace and fulfillment that come from doing what we were created to do. This doesn't mean Christians should pursue spiritual disciplines merely for material gain. That would be using God rather than serving Him. But it does mean that when we genuinely seek God's kingdom first, he takes care of our legitimate needs. Haggai's final message focuses on Zerubbabel, the governor who led the temple reconstruction.
Speaker 1:Chapter 2, verses 20 to 23, contains a remarkable prophecy Tell Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, that I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. On that day, declares the Lord Almighty, I will take you my servant, zerubbabel, son of Shaltiel, declares the Lord, and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the Lord Almighty. A signet ring represented authority and identity. Kings used them to seal official documents. By promising to make Zerubbabel like his signet ring, god was indicating that Zerubbabel would represent his authority and carry out his purposes. But this prophecy extends beyond Zerubbabel himself.
Speaker 1:Matthew, chapter 1, verse 12, includes Zerubbabel in Jesus' genealogy. After the exile to Babylon, jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel. Luke 3, verse 27 also includes him in Jesus' lineage. Zerubbabel, whose name means seed of Babylon, was born in exile but returned to rebuild God's house. Jesus, the ultimate seed promised to Abraham Galatians, chapter 3, verse 16, came into a world alienated from God and rebuilt the relationship between God and humanity. Zerubbabel led the reconstruction of the physical temple. Jesus became the spiritual temple and makes believers into living stones in God's house. 1 Peter, chapter 2, verse 5. Zerubbabel bore God's authority for a season. Jesus bears God's authority forever, having been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Matthew, chapter 28, verse 18. The promise to shake the heavens and the earth and overturn royal thrones finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's kingdom. That cannot be shaken. Hebrews chapter 12, verse 28.
Speaker 1:How does Haggai's message apply to our lives today? First, we must examine our priorities honestly. Haggai called the people to give careful thought to your ways. This requires looking at how we actually spend our time, money and energy, rather than how we think. We should Make a list of your activities from the past week. How much time went to work, entertainment, family and spiritual growth? Look at your bank statements and credit card bills. What do your spending patterns reveal about your values? This kind of honest assessment can be uncomfortable, but necessary.
Speaker 1:Second, we should identify what needs rebuilding in our spiritual lives. For Haggai's audience, it was the temple. For us it might be prayer habits, bible study, christian community or service to others. What spiritual disciplines have you neglected while building other areas of your life? What relationships need attention? What aspects of Christian character need development? Third, we must take practical steps toward change.
Speaker 1:Haggai didn't just call for reflection. He called for action. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house. Spiritual growth requires specific, practical steps. If prayer is the issue, schedule time for it. If Bible study has been neglected, choose a reading plan and start. If Christian community is lacking, visit a church or small group. Good intentions aren't enough. We need concrete actions. Fourth, we should expect God's presence and power when we align with His priorities.
Speaker 1:Haggai's audience experienced God stirring their spirits and empowering their work. Audience experience God stirring their spirits and empowering their work. When we genuinely seek first God's kingdom, he provides what we need for the task. This doesn't mean the work will be easy, but it does mean we won't do it alone. God's presence makes the difference between human effort and spirit-empowered service. Finally, we must resist the comparison trap. The older generation in Haggai's time became discouraged by comparing the new temple to the old one. We can become discouraged by comparing our spiritual lives, ministries or achievements to others. God isn't asking for impressive results by human standards. He's asking for faithful obedience to his call. The widow's might was worth more than the rich man's large gift, because it represented her whole heart. Mark, chapter 12, verses 41 to 44.
Speaker 1:Haggai's message ultimately points beyond the physical temple to the spiritual temple that Jesus would establish. The glory of the second temple wasn't in its gold or silver, but in the fact that Jesus himself would walk in its courts. In John 2, verses 19-21, when asked for a sign of his authority to cleanse the temple, jesus responded Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days. But the temple he had spoken of was his body. Jesus' body became the ultimate temple where God dwelt among us. As John 1, verse 14 declares, the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. After Jesus' resurrection and ascension, the Holy Spirit came to dwell in believers, making each of us a temple of God. 1 Corinthians 6, verse 19. The church corporately becomes a holy temple in the Lord where God dwells by His Spirit. Ephesians 2, verses 21-22.
Speaker 1:This means Haggai's call to rebuild God's house continues today, but now it's about building spiritual lives and communities that provide suitable dwelling places for God's presence, that provide suitable dwelling places for God's presence. Friends, haggai's message may come from a small book, but it addresses one of the biggest challenges we face keeping our priorities aligned with God's heart. In a world that constantly pulls us toward building our own kingdoms, haggai calls us back to building God's kingdom first. The people in Haggai's time had valid reasons for delay opposition, discouragement and limited resources. We have similar challenges today, but God's promise remains the same. I am with you. When we examine our ways, identify what needs rebuilding, take practical steps toward change and trust God's presence and power, we discover the satisfaction that comes from lives aligned with divine purposes. The temple Haggai's audience rebuilt was indeed filled with greater glory than Solomon's temple, not because of its architecture, but because Jesus himself would one day enter its courts. Your life, rebuilt according to God's priorities, can likewise be filled with his glory as you become a dwelling place for his presence.
Speaker 1:Next week, we'll explore the prophet Zechariah and his remarkable visions of the coming Messiah. We'll explore the prophet Zechariah and his remarkable visions of the coming Messiah. Until then, this is Evan Evans, reminding you to keep chasing God's heart as you go through your week. Remember Haggai's call give careful thought to your ways and build what matters most to God. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This has been the God Chaser podcast. Join us next week as we continue finding Jesus in every story of the Bible. This episode of the God Chaser podcast is proudly sponsored by God Chaser Apparel, the clothing line designed to empower and inspire your spiritual journey.
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Speaker 1:May you not just chase God but find him in the blessings, big and small, that he has in store for you. And there we have it, folks, another episode of God Chaser wrapped up. We hope you've been blessed by today's discussion and we look forward to diving into more life-transforming topics with you in the future. Stay blessed and keep chasing after God.