The Greater Priesthood, Greater Kingdom and a Greater Priest-King

Haggai 2:10-23 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, 11 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law: 12 ‘If someone carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and touches with his fold bread or stew or wine or oil or any kind of food, does it become holy?’” The priests answered and said, “No.” 13 Then Haggai said, “If someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” 14 Then Haggai answered and said, “So is it with this people, and with this nation before me, declares the LORD, and so with every work of their hands. And what they offer there is unclean. 15 Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD, 16 how did you fare? When one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten. When one came to the wine vat to draw fifty measures, there were but twenty. 17 I struck you and all the products of your toil with blight and with mildew and with hail, yet you did not turn to me, declares the LORD. 18 Consider from this day onward, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. Since the day that the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid, consider: 19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Indeed, the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have yielded nothing. But from this day on I will bless you.” 20 The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth, 22 and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother. 23 On that day, declares the LORD of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.” This is our final week in Haggai. It’s been a lot of fun, we’ve certainly chased down a lot of Old testament themes and background. While it’s a short book, hopefully you recognize just how much gold is packed inside. And this kind of richness is packed into each book of the Bible. I pray that it would motivate you to freshly study scripture and experience the richness of God’s Word. The book of Haggai is largely about having and keeping right priorities before the LORD. Setting our priorities right, and keeping them there is hard work. But with the proper motivation, which I hope we will see today, can make all the difference. Here’s a quick recap of where we have been so far in the book. The people, a remnant of the former glory of Israel, have returned from exile. They are commissioned to rebuild the temple, but after a false start, are slow to rebuild. Even worse, they are spending time and resources on building their own homes. So the LORD speaks through the prophet Haggai to call the people to consider their ways. Their priorities are out of order, and they experience curse because of it. God actually causes drought and futility because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness to the covenant. And then we see at the end of chapter 1 that the people obey. They resume the work on the temple and God tells them that he is with them. God’s desire has always been to dwell in fellowship with his people. Now, chapter 2 begins with the people working, but growing discouraged. The new building effort falls far short of the former glory of Solomon’s temple. Again Haggai speaks the words of