Having just completed a four-part sermon series in Haggai, I thought I would attempt a "poetic recap" of this prophetic book. Here it is:
It was 520 B.C. when Haggai came to town.
He went right to the temple site, but no one was around.
The people said, “Now’s not the time to build; it’s just too tough.
So we’re working on our own homes, though we never have enough.”
“Do you know why?” the prophet cried, speaking God’s own word.
“Your plans I wrecked ‘cause you neglect the temple of the Lord.
Go to the hills and bring back wood and build my house, I say,
Then I’ll be pleased and glorified. Get busy and obey!”
The people did. They feared the Lord and did what they should do.
God stirred their hearts to do the work and assured them, “I’m with you.”
Some weeks went by, then came a cry from the older citizens
Who knew this temple wouldn’t match the glory of Solomon’s.
God knew their thoughts and said, “Is this like nothing in your eyes?
I know that you’re discouraged, for your feelings you can’t hide.
But I promise you the future of this temple will be bright –
So great, that Solomon’s will seem as nothing in your sight.”
“Be strong for I am with you. The heavens and earth I’ll shake
Until the treasures of all the nations come in for My name’s sake.
This temple you build will soon be filled with peace,” declares the Lord.
“From this day on the curse is gone. I’ll bless you – trust My word.”
“And you, Zerubbabel, don’t fear, when heaven and earth give way.
I’ll make you like my signet ring and guard you come what may.
Because you are My servant, and I, the Lord, have chosen you,
You’re safe with me, and equipped to lead My people as I lead you.
My father is a far better poet than I am and pays much closer attention to the metrical pattern. My poem was mean to be said, not read, so it worked fine in the pulpit. But I asked my dad to revise my poem according to proper metrical standards, which he was happy to do. Here it is:
In 520 BC, Haggai came to town;
He went to the temple site-- no one around.
The people said, “Building right now is too tough--
We’ll work on our own things; we’ve never enough.”
“But do you know why?” the old prophet inquired,
In speaking for God by Whom he’d been inspired;
“The temple’s unbuilt by your shameful neglect;
And that is the reason your plans have been wrecked.”
Thus saith the Lord God, the Ancient of Days,
“Repent, O my people; consider your ways.
Bring wood from the mountains and turn not aside;
Start building and I will be pleased, glorified.”
The people responded and set out to do
The work that their God had directed them to.
They all feared the Lord, and their spirits were stirred,
And claiming His promise, their hearts were assured.
But as is so often, contention arose--
Some elderly citizens looked down their nose,
Said, “Even if we do exactly as told,
It will not match Solomon’s temple of old.
But God knew their hearts, saw their faces downcast.
Said, “though you think things will not rival the past.
The future of this temple’s glorious and bright—
So great that the former will pale in your sight.
Be strong, I am with you--the nations I’ll shake,
Their silver, and also their gold, will I take.
And I, Lord of Hosts, will give peace in this place,
And all of it granted by sovereign grace.
Zerubbabel, you need not fear nor dismay,
When heaven and also the earth shall give way.
You’ll be like my signet ring, safe as can be,
For thou art my servant and chosen by Me.”