Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Haggai 2:1-9
by: Matthew Berg.
"In this place I will give prosperity" (v. 9, NRSV). God intends that our return from exile will produce fruit. He does not merely send us off into exile for the sake of suffering; the exile always has a purpose: to bring us closer to Him. We may find that looking back and reflecting on the past is helpful. Even if it causes grief, God can use the memory as a motivator to avoid exile ever again!
"Take courage . take courage . take courage" (v. 4)! Any time a phrase is repeated 3 times, we should take note. We must be courageous in our resolve to return from exile.