Excuse: Time has not yet come

In the year, 520 B.C. exiles were back and living in Jerusalem for 18 years. In those 18 years, 14 years the building project was abandoned and neglected. The beginning of construction was glorious as Ezra records it. The project began with priests in their official garments with trumpets, Levites with cymbals and sang praise to the Lord responsively. (Ezra 3:10-11) But within two years, they were discouraged, lacked focus, and could not withstand opposition. They justified their inaction by stating that the time has not yet come. Haggai encouraged people not to give excuses but carry on the work of building the Temple. In fact, neglecting God, His requirements and lack of priorities brought curse on them.

1) Desolate land: After seventy years of neglect, the land was not fertile or fit for cultivation.

2) Hard work: They had put in hard work to get started again. Hence, they were consumed in that all the time.

3) Money: Of course, they did not have money too. Whatever they earned that also was not enough, it disappeared. (Haggai 1:6)

4) Human resources: As all were engaged in rebuilding their homes, families and fields or business, they did not have time to be involved.

5) Crop failures: When they are involved in farming, they face drought and crop failures. (Haggai 1:10-11)

6) Enemies: There were many who were against the building of the Temple, they threatened, harassed, and intimidated them. (Ezra 4:1-5)

7) God’s Will: They sounded spiritual as if they were sure of God’s will, time and purpose.

8) Miscalculation: Jeremiah prophesied that the Babylonian Exile would be for seventy years. They were taken captive and deported in three batches or waves: 605 B.C., 597 B.C. and 587 B.C. Daniel in faith took the earliest year as a starting point to determine the years of captivity. (Daniel 9) However, these people took the final year of deportation and calculated it as 69th year and said that the time has not yet come. It is an act of unbelief.
Am I in the habit of giving excuses?