In the Bible is a thought stirring record of the awakening of a people's thinking from despair to achievement and the consequent rebuilding of the visible symbol of their national identity—the temple. The kingdom of Judah had fallen, and for many years its people had been exiles in Babylonia. Upon their release they had returned home to a ruined temple, ruined homes, and ruined fields. Not only were they challenged to meet these physical crises; they were compelled to meet mental crises as well—apathy, resignation to evil, limitation and poverty of thought.
Over and over again the prophet Haggai preached and pleaded with them to overcome their difficulties and to rebuild their temple. This, in a sense, would mean the rebuilding of their lives, their identity, their consciousness of their manhood and womanhood as the sons and daughters of God. It would mark the recognition both by themselves and by their neighbors of their status as a strong and free people. "Yet now be strong," Haggai thundered at their leader, Zerubbabel,"be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts."Hag. 2:4; And the promise followed, 'The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. v. 9;
What does this record of an ancient people building their temple hundreds of years ago in a faraway part of the world mean to us? Problems besetting mankind today are vastly different, perhaps, from those of earlier days, but the causes underlying all problems, both ancient and modern, have never changed: fear, pain, selfishness, greed, envy, hatred, war. Today, as then, the answer begins with prayer, the humble and grateful acknowledgment of the power and love of God ever present to meet all human need. Then comes the putting of our prayer into action through the building of strong and noble lives, rich and vibrant in their expression of Truth and Love.
