Read: Haggai 1-2
Marked: Haggai 2:3, ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, [is this] not in your eyes as nothing?’
The temple they were building would be a shadow of the former glory of Solomon’s temple. But the temple, regardless of its splendour, was nothing without the presence of God. Because the new temple wasn’t as spectacular as the former didn’t mean that God’s presence would be less.
When we sin we break the bond we have with God. But through repentance we come back into right relationship with our Creator. However, we might believe this relationship isn’t as strong as it once was, that God would keep Himself from us. This is far from true.
God reminds His people that in spite of their sin, in spite of the temple not being what it once was, He was still with them (V4). And He is with us as He was before we sinned. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
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