Why did the Lord send covenant curses on the people? To wipe them out? No. To discipline, out of supreme love. The Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights
(Proverbs 3:12). Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent,
says our Lord to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:19). The Lord disciplines because he wants repentance, a change of mind and heart. He visited his people with his covenant curses to get them to see their sins, to turn from them, and to consider God’s priorities and plans for their generation. To work on the visible symbol of his presence, so that they could praise him there, make sacrifices there, have festivals and ceremonies to the Lord there. God disciplines in order to pull his people back from the edge. He uses the land to point out the state of his people’s attitude to God, and get them back on the right track, to see that the time is now for serving him faithfully.
What about today? What Haggai is not saying is that every trial or hardship is without question a sign of God’s curse and discipline in your life. What is the prophet saying? If you are not living in line with his priorities, you should expect that he will discipline you. You should expect him to frustrate your labours, and disappoint your expectations. For isn’t that what makes for a good, loving, mighty Father? Is it part of your regular prayers that if you are not working or living for the Lord’s priorities, if you are storing up treasures on earth, he would humble you, discipline you, make your toil futile? Isn’t that what David prayed? Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!
Search me for those areas that do not reflect the priorities of your kingdom!
When God, through his Word or trials, uncovers misshaped, misplaced priorities, showing your need for repentance, you could say, Whatever. The time is not yet. I will spend my time and money my way.
Or you can understand that this is your heavenly Father calling you back from the edge, appealing to you to confess and turn from your sins, turn to Christ, seek and receive forgiveness, and walk in covenant fellowship with the Lord again.
9 You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.