SCRIPTURE
“The people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord.” Haggai 1:12b
SPOTLIGHT
Imagine this scene. The courtroom is packed with noisy people. The judge smacks his mallet on the bench and loudly declares, “ORDER IN THE COURT, ORDER IN THE COURT!”
Now picture this. The high school football stadium is filled with cheering fans chanting, “WE WILL WIN. WE WILL WIN!”
Finally, do you remember this? The songwriter composed words to a catchy tune to imbed in your mind winter’s beauty when he wrote, “LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!”
In each of the above scenarios, repetition was used to drive home the importance of a point. It called the listeners to pay special attention. Here’s the question for you today. Do you pay extra special attention when something is repeated in the Bible?
In the book of Haggai, we learn that the repetition of Scripture should be an important teacher in the Christian life. The prophet, Haggai, began prophesying a few months before Zechariah. He was led by the Holy Spirit to motivate the leadership and people of Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. Haggai called them to reorder their priorities, because they had become focused on their own lives and personal well-being, rather than putting God first. In addition to his prophetical message, he used the power of repetition to drive home his points. In the Scripture text above, you can see the favorable response of the people. Haggai gave a convicting message from God. He emphasized his key thoughts by repeating key phrases. This led the people to want to obey God and deeply reverence Him. Does Scripture repetition impact you? Take a look at the four phrases that Haggai repeats.
“THE WORD OF THE LORD,” is a phrase that appears 5 times in Haggai and 347 times throughout the Bible. [See Haggai 1:1,3; 2:1,10,20.] It is similar to the phrase, “the Word of God,” and refers to God speaking to people whether it be direct speech, or through a prophet or preacher. It calls for your undivided attention because it means a message is being communicated that is divine and not human. Every time you read this phrase in Scripture, you need to ask yourself, “What are You saying to me, Lord?"
“THE LORD ALMIGHTY SAYS,” is a phrase that appears 12 times in Haggai and 119 times throughout the Bible. [See Haggai 1:2,5,7,9; 2:4d,6,7,8,9,11,23a,23d.] This is direct communication from God. Moses was told by Almighty God to write the 10 Commandments. You pay attention to this phrase, because God is personally speaking. The Lord God has a voice, and He used it in order to be heard. He still speaks today. The Holy Spirit impresses your spirit. Every time you read this phrase in Scripture, you need to say as Samuel said “Speak, for your servant is listening.” [1 Samuel 3:10].
“I AM WITH YOU,” is a phrase that appears 2 times in Haggai, and numerous times in the Bible. [See Haggai 1:13; 2:4d.] This is a powerful commitment of the Creator of the universe to personally be with any person who chooses to obey His voice and fear Him. The greatest blessing that you will ever receive in your life is God choosing to be with you. He will never leave you, or forsake you. Every time you read this phrase in Scripture, you need to bow your head and give thanks to God that He is with you, just as much as anyone else named in the Bible.
“GIVE CAREFUL THOUGHT TO YOUR WAYS,” is a phrase that appears 5 times in Haggai and 1 other time in Proverbs 4:26, which says, “Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” [See Haggai 1:5,7; 2:15,18.] This is a command directing you to take a serious look at the way you live. Where are your feet taking you? Don’t forget that the repetition of Scripture is like the judge, the football fans, or the song writer, trying to get your attention. When you read this phrase, you pay attention because God is challenging you to consider how valuable your personal relationship is with Him. Think it over. Where is your life going? You need to ask yourself ,“Am I glorifying God in what I say, and do? Is there any sin separating me from God? What can I do to know God better?”
Parents will say, “I am just going to say this once. You don’t want me to have to say this twice!” God, your Heavenly Father, does not operate that way. Instead, He often repeats messages because He is loving, understanding and patient. What you need to do when you are reading the Bible, or listening to a sermon, is to follow this plan when something is repeated:
SAY IT ONCE………. I will listen and learn when I read the Bible or hear a sermon.
SAY IT TWICE………I will pay closer attention when a Scripture verse, text or story is brought to my attention for a second time, in a short period of time. I will further pray and ponder about what God is saying to me.
SAY IT THRICE……..I will hide the Scripture in my heart by writing it out, or memorizing it, just like David said in Psalms 119:11. I will do this when I am challenged to consider the meaning of a Scripture verse, or passage for the third time.
This plan became real to me when I was facing a significant challenge in my life. The Holy Spirit reminded me how important Godly repetition really is. I heard a preacher speak on, Ephesians 3:14-20, which directly spoke to my situation. That was SAY IT ONCE. Afterwards, I felt drawn by the Holy Spirit to further study the passage. I began to pray and ponder about what God was saying to me. That was SAY IT TWICE. Unexpectedly, within a few days, a friend texted me the same passage as an encouragement. That was SAY IT THRICE. It was time for me to write it out, and try to memorize it.
SOMETHING TO DO
#1. Read, in one sitting, Haggai which is the second shortest book in the Old Testament.
#2. Underline all of the phrases mentioned above.
#3. For further references, check out Acts 8:25; 13:44; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Genesis 26:24; 28:15; Exodus 3:12; 33:14; Isaiah 41:10; 43:2; Matthew 28:19,20; Hebrews 13:5.
#4. Be alert to the Holy Spirit providing for you an opportunity to implement the above plan.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, today I realize the importance of paying better attention to what You are saying to me when I read the Bible, or hear a sermon. Thank you for showing Your love for me by repeating Yourself, rather than becoming impatient with me. AMEN!