Definition: Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Haggai 1:6. It's a really interesting and somewhat challenging passage about building the Temple in Jerusalem. Hereās a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us that despite all the effort and resources weāve put into building the temple, we arenāt actually fulfilling our purpose. Weāre not experiencing the blessings and rewards we were hoping for. Let's unpack it word by word: "Ye have sown much..." : This means weāve been working hard and contributing to the construction of the temple. "...and bring in little..." : This is a crucial part. Weāre not producing much of what weāve put into it. We're not reaping the rewards of our labor. Think about it ā planting seeds, building a structure⦠itās not yielding much fruit. "...eat, but ye have not filled with drink..." : This is a metaphorical way of saying weāre not satisfied or full. Weāre not experiencing the joy and abundance that comes from fulfilling our purpose. We're surviving, not thriving. "...drink, but ye are not filled with drink..." : Again, this highlights a lack of fulfillment ā we arenāt experiencing the fullness of life and blessings. "...closet you, but there is none warm..." : This describes how the temple is being used ā itās being occupied, but it's lacking warmth and comfort. The temple isnāt fully utilized or blessed. "...and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes." : This is the most important part. Itās saying that even though we are working hard, weāre not getting the rewards we deserve . The ābag with holesā represents a lack of abundance and prosperity. It means our labor isn't bringing enough wealth or blessings to meet our needs. Overall Meaning & Context: The verse is essentially a warning about the spiritual implications of building something (the temple). Itās saying that if we donāt actively focus on fulfilling Godās purpose and living a righteous life, our efforts will ultimately be in vain. It's a reminder to stay focused on what truly matters ā serving God and bringing Him glory. In simpler terms: Weāre working hard, but not getting the rewards we expected. Itās like planting a beautiful garden, but it doesnāt produce much fruit because we arenāt being fruitful ourselves. Does this make sense? Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail or perhaps connect it to a specific biblical story?