Philippians 2:12b, 13 NIV Philippians 2:12b, 13 NIV 12 Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Filipenses 2:12b, 13 NVI Filipenses 2:12b, 13 NVI 12 lleven a cabo su salvación con temor y temblor, 13 pues Dios es quien produce en ustedes tanto el querer como el hacer para que se cumpla su buena voluntad. ~MEDITATION~

Haggai 1:1-15 Opening statements 1:1-4 “These people say” “These people say” “The word of the LORD” “The word of the LORD” God’s people shaken 1:5-11 Consider your circumstances (5,6) Consider your circumstances (5,6) Consider why your expectations are unmet(9) Consider why your expectations are unmet(9) Consider what you should do (7,8) Consider what you should do (7,8) Consider the consequences of neglecting what God declares to be a priority (10,11) Consider the consequences of neglecting what God declares to be a priority (10,11) God’s people stirred 1:12-15 Responding to the Word (12) Responding to the Word (12) Encouraged by the Word (13) Encouraged by the Word (13) Quickened by the Word (14) Quickened by the Word (14)

There is a Hebrew word play which has its beginning in verse (4) and is completed in verse (11) The Hebrew word for “ruins” in verse 4 is The Hebrew word for “ruins” in verse 4 is (‘brE(x') “hareb” (‘brE(x') “hareb” The Hebrew word for “drought” in verse 11 is (br<xoø) “horeb” The Hebrew word for “drought” in verse 11 is (br<xoø) “horeb” This is called inclusio, a figure of speech where a passage is bracketed with the same set of words. This is called inclusio, a figure of speech where a passage is bracketed with the same set of words. Because my house remains in “hareb” you will experience “horeb” Because my house remains in “hareb” you will experience “horeb”

“And God, we know, does punish men in these two ways: either by withdrawing his blessings, by rendering the earth and the heavens dry; or by making the abundant produce unsatisfying and even useless.” John Calvin

“To leave the temple un-rebuilt was just another way of saying: It matters not whether God is with us.” It is as if the people were saying: “When we get living conditions and the economy right, and develop a decent standard of living and negotiate proper wage rates- then we will have time for religion and for God.” “The LORD does not tolerate a society run on these lines. He is not a complacent onlooker; he will be central or he will be at odds.” “The LORD does not tolerate a society run on these lines. He is not a complacent onlooker; he will be central or he will be at odds.” Alec Motyer

Isaiah 41: "But you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, 9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2 Chronicles 36: “ In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved(stirred) the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: 23 "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of his people among you-- may the LORD his God be with him, and let him go up.'

Ezra 1:5 “Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites-- everyone whose heart God had moved (stirred) -- prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.”

“Foolishly, then, do they imagine that the Israelites were led by their own free-will to obey the word of God, and then that some aid of the Holy Spirit followed, to make them firmly to persevere in their course.” But the Prophet declared in the first place, that his message was respectfully received by the people. And now, he explains how it was; even because God had touched the hearts of the whole people.” John Calvin