Haggai
Introduction
Haggai is the first of the last three prophets whom God sent to His
people after they returned from the Babylonian exile. Sometimes
they are called 'the postexilic prophets'. Haggai ministered during
the time of Zerubbabel and alongside Zechariah (see: Ezra
5:1-2, 6:14). He challenged and commanded the people to rebuild the
temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Their neglect of 'God's house'
while they focused on their own resulted in a lack and
dissatisfaction sent by the Lord. The call is to repentance, as
they give priority to the rebuilding of the house of the Lord (His
Temple). This book certainly has a message for God's people
today.
Key Verses: 1:3-4, 2:7-9
Key Words: The Lord Almighty (14x); give 'careful thought'
(5x)
Suggested Outline:
I. The Call to Rebuild the temple 1:1-11
II. The Response of Zerubbabel and the People 1:12-15
III. The Temple to be filled with God's Glory 2:1-9
IV. A Defiled People: Purified and Blessed 2:10-19
V. The Promise to Zerubbabel 2:20-23
Haggai 1
The Lord's message to His people through the prophet is set during
the governorship of Zerubbabel and the high priest, Joshua. (Ezra
3:8-6:22). The people had neglected the rebuilding of the temple 2.
The Lord asks, is this the time to build your own houses while the
temple is in ruins 2-5. The Lord calls them to consider the
consequences this brings to their lives. What they make and work
for seems to be consumed 5-6. (This. In fact, is what was
happening). The Lord tells them to get timber and build His house
'that He may take pleasure in it' and 'be honored' 7-8. Because
they failed to make the Lord a priority in this way, He sent a
'consumption among them' 9-11. Note: How many of us work and work,
yet have little to show for it and find that all we worked for is
consumed Can it be that we do not have a right priority ? (See:
Matthew 6:28-34). Zerubbabel and Joshua, the leaders of the people
(both political and religious) along with the people respond with
obedience and fear of the Lord 12 ! The Lord reassures them that HE
is with them and stirs up the hearts of all to be involved 13-15.
Note: We can recognize and even acknowledge, with godly fear, the
misplaced priories of life, yet without the Spirit of God stirring
us to action, we will not amend our ways.
Haggai 2
About a month later (the date being given in verse 1) the Lord
sends His word to the people asking them if they remember the
former temple and its glory 2-3. In comparison it may have seemed
so small and not very impressive. Note: This attitude gripped the
people when the temple foundation was laid (see: Ezra 3:10-13). The
Lord sends His word (at just this time) to encourage His people
with the exhortation to 'be strong' to all and to 'work' 4. Note:
God gives and grants us His strength so that we will do His work !
(Acts 1:8). His Spirit was with them. This was His covenant and
promise to them as His people 5 ! Note: Wow ! So much is tied in
with God's goodness and grace to His people, which He has promised
to them, if we would but believe in Him and do as He commands. The
Lord reveals to them that He is doing something in connection with
His house. He will shake the heavens and the earth 6 and the
'desired of all the nations will come' (this is a reference to the
Lord Jesus Christ) and this house will be filled with the Lord's
glory 7. God reminds them that He owns it all 8 and the glory of
the present house (which they were building) would be great than
the former house 9a. The Lord would grant His peace in this place
9b. Note: Some 500 years later, the Lord Jesus Christ came to earth
and entered the temple and even declared that one greater than the
temple was in their midst - the Lord of Glory, incarnate ! (see:
Matthew 12:6). Jesus Christ is also our peace, Ephesians 2:14-18.
One day the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all the earth
will see it, Isaiah 40:5 ! The Lord turns His attention to the
priests and His people as He gives them a quiz on the Law 10-13.
The questions involve what makes holy and what defiles. The Lord
applies the principle of His law to the people and declares that
the people are 'defiled' in His sight 14. HE points them to
the judgments He brought on the land and crops because of their
sins 15-17. This was meant to bring them to repentance before Him
17b. Note: The goal of the Lord in discipling His people is to
correct them and to bring them to a place of having a right heart
and right conduct before Him (Hebrews 12:5-13). They needed to
'give careful thought' to what the circumstances (ordained by God)
were teaching them 18. Up to this point they were unfruitful 19a,
but the Lord promised to bless them 'from this day on...'19b. Note:
Was this blessing to come upon them in spite of their actions, or
because they did take heed and repent ? In either case, the
blessing of God comes upon us because of His love and grace !
Zerubbabel is given a word of encouragement by the Lord in 20-23.
The Lord tells of the shaking that is coming to the heavens and the
earth, in which thrones, kingdoms, and chariots (armies) will be
overthrown by the Lord. On that day (future ?) the Lord would take
Zerubbabel as His servant and make him His signet ring. This God
does, because Zerubbabel is one of His chosen 23. Note: Can it be
that Zerubbabel (and how God worked in his life) is a type of the
Lord Jesus Christ ? Interestingly, Zerubbabel is part of the
genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:12-13). Since other
prophets foretold the coming of God's eternal kingdom (as all the
other nations and kingdoms of this world are put down); this may be
a reference to that coming 'day' ? Note: There is much for the
believer to glean from this portion of God's Word. Read it again
and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth and message of this
book as it would apply to you.