The last three books of the Old Testament, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, take us past the destruction of Judah and Israel, past the period of exile, to the time of resettlement in the Promised Land and the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. It is the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. In fact, Ezra 5:1-2 actually describes how the prophets Haggai and Zechariah helped the people rebuild God's temple.
The book of Haggai deals with God's desire that his temple be rebuilt and the people's reluctance to rebuild it. Haggai's message from God was: Change your priorities and be encouraged by the glory of God and the blessings of God.
What does it say?
Next to Obadiah, Haggai is the shortest book in the Old Testament. It has one specific purpose: to call the people of Judah to complete the rebuilding of the temple. Haggai reminds the people of the consequences of disobedience and obedience. He shows them that when they give priority to God and his temple, they are blessed and not cursed. When they are obedient, they receive the encouragement and strength of the Spirit of God.
Haggai also tells the people about the coming of the Messiah. When he comes he will bring judgment on the nations, but he will come to Israel and fill the temple with his glory.
Because of Haggai's encouragement, and the leadership of fellow prophet Zechariah and governor Zerubbabel, the temple was successfully completed in Jerusalem.
Faces & Places
Haggai, along with Zechariah, are the two prophets commissioned by God to exhort the people to rebuild the temple after their return from exile. Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi are the only three post-exilic prophets.
Mentioned in this book are Zerubbabel, the governor over the people in Judah, and Joshua, the high priest (of no relation to the Joshua who guided Israel after the death of Moses).
The location for Haggai's prophecy is Jerusalem. The words of this book were delivered in Jerusalem to Jerusalem.
Key Verses & Themes
Priorities:
Haggai 1:4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
Rebuilding of the Temple:
Haggai 1:7-8 "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,' says the Lord."
The Glory of the Temple:
Haggai 2:7-9 "'I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the Lord Almighty. 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the Lord Almighty. 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the Lord Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the Lord Almighty."
So what?
While the physical task of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem is not ours to do, the issues that hindered the people from their God-given task will sound very contemporary.
Of central concern were priorities. The people were fully content to enjoy their finely finished homes without regard for the house of God that stood in ruins. They could be easily motivated by the pursuit of their own comforts, but not by the building of God's house and the anticipation of God's glory.
They also seemed to feel there was no particular value in doing this "spiritual" work. Nothing would really change whether the temple was built or not.
Do these excuses sound familiar? God says, "Give careful thought to your ways" (Haggai 1:5) because the consequences of this attitude are significant. Do you need to check your priorities? Do you know the significance of your God-given tasks. God will work through your work for your joy and his glory.
