Six times, the Lord calls mankind to “consider your ways” in the book of Haggai. Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” We all reflect on the essential issues of life, and whether we like it or not, we are all philosophers in that we all have a philosophy of life. Many people don’t take the time to consider their own philosophy of life. Many cannot tell you what their philosophy of life is. In the end, it boils down to a person’s view on three issues. The three main issues everyone must consider are “Where do I come from? What am I here for? And Where am I going.” My philosophy of life that answers these questions is Biblical. I believe that I’ve been created by a loving God who has a purpose for my life, including a final destiny. Most people today see themselves as a product of an impersonal evolution process determined by chance. There is no “purpose” for their personal lives. The ultimate destiny is the grave. But lately, there have been secularists who look for purpose in the stars. There has been an increasing interest in UFOs and extraterrestrial life. Maybe we can learn about our origin from them and gain meaning and purpose from that. Some think they may hold the secret of eternal life and will establish an eternal destiny for us.
Although Haggai’s exhortation to “consider your ways” is one that pushes people to consider their worldview, it’s really written to those who were God’s children. He’s addressing people who profess faith in God. He challenges them to see if their actions truly live up to their items of faith. They are struggling with survival in their homeland. There are enemies all around them, and they are having trouble providing for themselves and, therefore, have neglected God. The call to “consider your ways” is a call to face up to the real questions of life. Are you basing your life’s choices on the fact that you came forth from God? Are you living in response to God’s purpose for your life? Are you living in light of a day when you will give an account for your life? Are you? Are you? Six times, God asks His people through Haggai, “Are you?” Unfortunately, the expected answer was, “No, we’re not.” Though they were charged with the rebuilding of God’s Temple in Jerusalem, they were more interested in building their own homes. Although they professed they believed in God, They were living as if they believed life was an accident and there was no God who had a purpose and plan for them. They were basing the expenditure of their resources on selfish interests and not God’s purpose. They were living as if they were autonomous and had no accountability to God. Thus, Haggai’s call to “consider” is to see and recognize the truth of what one’s life choices say.
But then he concludes with the call to get it right. Put God back in His proper place in your life! Give God the priority He deserves. In Haggai 1:7-8, we read, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house (of worship), that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the LORD.” When you do this, things will change for you. He says, “Fear not. For thus says the Lord of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the Lord of hosts.’” (Haggai 2:6-9)