PARTIAL OBEDIENCE is DISOBEDIENCE [2]
Haggai 1:3-4 Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, [Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and this house [lie] waste?
Part 1: Partial Obedience is Disobedience Link
Dissatisfaction
Dissatisfaction is another situation which the exiles faced to hold them back from completing the re-building of the Temple. To sum it up, when interest fades leading to discouragement, it will be easy for people to become dissatisfied with their circumstances. The frustration of the exiles caused them to look at their own lot, and the need to take care of their welfare such as fixing their homes instead of considering the Temple.
When people are disappointed with their situation in life, this can easily lead to discouragement which will affect their interest. Self-pity can result in outcomes such as laissez-faire when people become lax and allow erosion even in their own lives. If people are reminded of their commitment to the Lord, they can resume their vows and return to Him. Although we often fail, God will not hold it against us if we repent and return to Him. Through the Holy Spirit’s intervention, we can return to God and continue the work which He called us to do. Moreover, while we are in the place of weakness, God will motivate us as He did with the exiles. He warned them:
Haggai 1:5-7 “Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earned wages earned wages to [put it] into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
God is concerned about every aspect of our lives; and when we fail, He is faithful and just to forgive us so that we will obey Him. [I John 2:1-2] In Haggai 1:6-11, God listed all the things which took place when the people left off from building the Temple. Although they worked hard, they were not prospering because the results were controlled by God’s power. Disobedience leads to losses, separation from God, and failures. Saul lost God’s presence and His blessings because of his disobedience [I Samuel 15:11]. In the end, the people resumed the re-building of the Temple when they were encouraged by Zerubbabel and the prophet Haggai.
Haggai 1:14 And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God, Haggai 2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
As soon as the people resumed the work, God returned His blessing upon them. When God calls us into service, He expects total obedience, and He will give blessings. He requires us to put Him first in everything. Our interest in doing God’s will must be with enthusiasm, love and zeal including faithfulness, determination and fervour. The people began with confidence and interest; but these faded after a while because they were not fully committed. Good intentions without commitment and integrity will not work in any situation.
Obedience breaks curses.
There are two lessons to be learned in both teachings [a], Saul thought that partial obedience was acceptable to God. Evidently, he was wrong. God will not accept partial obedience [I Samuel 15]. [b] With the exiles in the book of Haggai, they allowed weakness and self-interest to rob them of God’s blessings. However, when they returned to the re-building, God began to bless them again. He will do the same for you if you are in this situation. Partial obedience, is actually, disobedience in the sight of God. With the exiles when they resumed the word God began to bless them. It is clear to see that obedience breaks curses. The very day the people resumed the work, the blessings of the Lord returned. He told the people; “From this day I will bless you,” and He did!
Haggai 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
Give God your best! Do not hold back from Him!
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