Sweet and Sour

"Now this is what the LORD Almighty says:
'Give careful thought to your ways.' "
(Haggai 1:5; see also
1:7, 2:15, 2:18)
Precious friends, the Lord has me still reflecting upon the Old Testament "minor" prophets! Most recently, it has been Haggai, who was burdened with waking God's chosen people from their indifferent, apostate, and lethargic sleep.

Haggai, the briefest book in the Old Testament, is short but sweet! Rich with significance, it beautifully illustrates the consequences of disobedience to the Lord, as well as the blessings of obedience to Him, in just two chapters. Haggai also offers encouragement to those who labor diligently, despite difficult conditions, to rebuild His temple--His house, and, through Haggai, the Lord gives hope to the laborers, assuring them that what they build in modesty will ultimately be glorified!

Haggai really emphasizes today's reflection Scripture, and the words that the Lord spoke through Him really resound in my head, heart, and spirit: "give careful thought to your ways".

It strikes me that today is Rosh Hashanah, the first day of the Jewish New Year, which began last night (September 29, 2008) at sundown and continues through nightfall tomorrow (October 1, 2008). Traditionally, Rosh Hashanah is a time when the Jewish people review their mistakes from the previous year and resolve anew to correct them in the upcoming year. It is a solemn time of reflection and repentance, recognizing human failings, but it is also a celebratory time of God's mercy and goodness, recognizing His Kingship. It's bitter and sweet, just like the book of Haggai!

Some bitter:

"Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 'Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this House remains a ruin?' ... Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes ... Give careful thought to your ways. ... You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? ... Because of My House, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.' " (Haggai 1:3-11).

Some sweet:

"... The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: '... Be strong, all you people of the land ... and work. For I am with you. ... My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear. ... In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake the all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this House with glory. ... The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine ... The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house ... And in this place I will grant peace ..." (Haggai 2:19).

Warning and wonder. Admonishment and assurance. Rebuke and reward. Punishment and promise. Sour and sweet. And, weaving, through it all, the Lord's goodness and glory. His love and lament for His children and His chosen nation.

Among the many traditions that accompany Rosh Hashanah, two particularly stand out to me this morning: the dipping of challah (bread) and apple in honey, which symbolizes the hope of a sweet new year, and the blowing of the shofar (trumpet), which symbolizes many things, including the call to repentance and the acknowledgment of God's kingship. Interestingly, as the shofar is blown on this day, specific sounds are deliberately created, evoking both sorrow and joy. Sweet and sour.

The 10-day period ("The Days of Awe") between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (also known as The Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar) offers a time of personal repentance, in the hope that true repentance will nullify a difficult Divine judgment. Though Christians do not formally observe the Jewish holy days, let us unite with the Jewish people in acknowledgment of God's sovereignty, sweetness, and saving grace. Let us, too, repent of our waywardness, callousness, and indifference to Him and to His chosen nation. Let us "give careful thought to our ways", remembering Psalm 127:1, "Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain."

Beloved, let's not labor in vain. In every thought, word, and deed, let us pray that our Lord will be glorified, honored, and praised. Whatever convictions the Lord places upon our hearts, let us repent of them immediately and earnestly. Let us forsake the ways of the world, and live by our Savior's standards! And, as we freshly resolve to live by His righteousness, let us remember the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit, which anoints and enables us.

"... 'Not by might nor by power,

but by My Spirit,'

says the LORD Almighty."

(Zechariah 4:6)

Precious Father, today I thank You for Your patience, Your goodness, and Your kindness, which leads us to repentance (reference Romans 2:4). I thank and praise You for the gifts of Your forgiveness and Your saving grace. I am so sorry, precious Father, for the times that I fall short of Your righteousness, living by my flesh instead of by Your Spirit. Continue to draw me to You, opening my eyes, softening my heart, sharpening my mind, and quickening my spirit to live in the light of Your eternal Truth instead of in the shadows of this temporal earth (reference Job 12:22, Isaiah 9:2, Isaiah 59, Matthew 4:16, James 1:17). I pray in the name Jesus, my sweet Savior and everlasting Lord. Amen.

"... 'There will be no more delay!
But in the days when the seventh angel
is about to sound his trumpet,
the mystery of God will be accomplished,
just as He announced to His servants the prophets.
... Go, take the scroll that lies open ...
Take it and eat it.
It will turn your stomach sour,
but in your mouth it will be
as sweet as honey.' "

(Revelation 10:6-9)

How can we encourage and pray for you today? Please let us know by clicking on "Sparks Share" at the end of today's reflection, and scroll down to the "Comments" box. You may choose to comment anonymously, if you prefer. Feel free to leave your praises and insights as well!

If this topic sparked your interest, see also ...

• "The Protection of Correction"
• "Reject Neglect!"

Copyright 2008. Kathryn B. Wells. All Rights Reserved.