A leader’s perspective can either make them slave to the immediate or keep them on track toward the ultimate. Read Haggai 2:6-9.

King Solomon had overseen construction of a temple designed to honor the One True God. That temple was destroyed in 586 B. C. by the Babylonians. The temple Solomon built was so magnificent that most of the known world was in awe of the structure. When the Hebrews returned to the land after the Babylonian exile, God charged them with building a new temple on the site where Solomon had built the original temple. The temple construction started under the leadership of Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the priest. It did not take long for the people to realize the foundation laid for this new temple was much smaller than the foundation of the temple built in Solomon’s day.

Wise leaders don’t confuse activity with accomplishment. Read Haggai 1:5-11.

Haggai served as prophet to the Hebrews who had returned from exile after 70 years in Babylon. These returnees were charged by God to rebuild the temple so they had a place to worship and focus on Him as they started their more routine lives. Initially they made a great start on the temple project; however, when they came under some intense pressure to stop the construction from some local tribes who had political clout with those who had released them from captivity, the construction ground to a halt.

Leaders must not only know the priorities, they must take actions to accomplish them. Read Haggai 1:1-11.

The Jewish people were back in their homeland after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Their return fulfilled the prophecies of both Jeremiah and Daniel. Zerubbabel was their governor, Joshua was their High Priest, and in the year 520 B.C. Haggai became the first prophet to the returned exiles. God sent the people back to Jerusalem with the priority to re-build the temple. Upon their arrival, they laid the foundation and began the work on the sanctuary but there was soon interference from their neighbors who had claimed the land while the Jews were captive in Babylon. The work on the temple eventually stopped.

Effective leaders place a high value on the people on their team. Read Micah 1:1-9.

Micah was a prophet of God who prophesied from 740 B.C. to 710 B. C. Micah had messages from God for both Judah and Israel (the divided tribes of Israel). He was a contemporary with Isaiah, who prophesied primarily to Judah, the Southern kingdom, and Hosea, who prophesied primarily to Israel, the Northern kingdom.

Leaders are stewards of God’s resources including power and influence. Read Daniel 4:34-37.

God had used the king of Babylon and his armies to bring judgment on several nations including Judah. God gave the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar so much power and authority that he was known as the most powerful man in the world. When Nebuchadnezzar determined in his heart that he had generated his power from his own wisdom and strength, God humbled him with seven years of insanity where he lost all power and influence; he went from living in a palace that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World to being homeless and even ate grass with the animals. When Nebuchadnezzar humbled himself and acknowledged that God was the sovereign of the universe and his source of power and influence, God restored him to his position of authority.