PUTTING GOD FIRST
as taught in the book of Haggai

God requires the first place in the life of every believer. He is entitled to it, by the simple fact that He is God, and also because we owe everything to Him.
Israel learned this lesson when they had returned to their own land after a seventy-year exile in Babylon. After they had been back for a number of years, and had built themselves houses that were very fit to live in, they still hadn't rebuilt the temple of God. Instead, they were busy putting all the "finishing touches" they wanted on their own houses.
Then God sent them the prophet Haggai to ask them, "Is it the time for you yourselves to live in paneled houses,and this house lie waste?" (1:4). That is, they should be putting God first by building His temple before making all those improvements, that they could live without, on their own houses.
Haggai delivered four messages to Israel about putting God first. Each message begins with the date of its delivery. The subjects of these messages are as follows. To read our meditation on each one, click on the button to the left of the title:


[••]  1. He who puts God first, DENIES  HIMSELF

(chapter 1)

[••] 2. He who puts God first,  LOOKS  BEYOND

          APPEARANCES   (2:1-9)
[••] 3. He who puts God first, KEEPS  HIMSELF
            PURE  (2:10-29)
[••] 4. He who puts God first,  IS PRECIOUS IN
            GOD'S SIGHT (2:20-23)