THE RELEVANCE OF עת להבנות בית יהוה (TIME TO BUILD THE HOUSE OF THE LORD) IN HAGGAI 1:1-8 TO CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIANS

Abstract

This study explored the meaning of the admonition עת להבנות בית יהוה in Haggai 1:1-8 to contemporary Christians. While the message of עת להבנות בית יהוה (Time to build the House of the Lord) has been discussed with relation to the times of prophet Haggai as an admonition to the Judahite community, seen as a judgment to the Judahite community for failing to cease the opportunity of עת (time for an appropriate activity) to rebuilt the temple, and as an encouragement that stirred the hearts of the people and made the work of rebuilding move a pace. These meaningful and relevant interpretations barely addressed the text to the contemporary Christians. This study explored the history of the בית יהוה (House of the Lord) and its theological significance in ancient Israel. Assessed the significance of בית יהוה (House of the Lord) to the post exilic Israel. Analyzed the meaning of Haggai’s call for theעת להבנות בית יהוה (Time to build the House of the Lord) in Haggai 1:1-8, and how it applies to the contemporary Christian Church. This study took a synchronic approach for the exegesis of Haggai 1:1-8; using rhetorical criticism method in its analysis. Data for the study was basically primary and secondary sources including the Hebrew bible text, and extra biblical literature and illustrations. The findings of the study show that: The admonition עת להבנות בית יהוה (Time to build the House of the Lord) in Haggai 1:1-8, is relevant to contemporary Christians: (1) Because the בית יהוה (house of the Lord); is the key institution in society with a divine initiative, symbolizing the dwelling of the Lord among His people, upon which all other institutions and welfare of the people depends, from as early as the community of believers in the wilderness period. The success or failure in the institutions of society and conditions of living depended on the attitude of the people towards the state of the בית יהוה (House of the Lord) “house of the Lord.” (2) The admonition עת להבנות בית יהוה (Time to build the House of the Lord) in its totality including the ministries associated with the physical structure, services that attend to the human needs and glorify the Lord God, is a present opportunity to be seized and given preeminence above all other human needs. (3) The obligations to build structures and services of בית יהוה (house of the Lord) are an imperative and not a suggestion to be taken or left unattended. (4) The imperative to build the בית יהוה (House of the Lord) is to the entire family of believers including the clergy, the laity and the civil leadership of the land.