The Book of
HAGGAI
Author: Haggai
Date: 520 B.C.
Theme: Rebuilding the Temple
Key Words: The Lord’s House, Consider, Glory
Author. Haggai, whose name means “Festive,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Zechariah. Haggai had the qualities of a good pastor. An encourager whose word was in tune with the hearts of the people and the mind of God, he was the Lord’s messenger with the Lord’s message, bringing to his discouraged band the assurance of God’s presence.
Date. Haggai’s ministry covered a period of slightly less than four months during the second year of the reign of King Darius, who ruled Persia from 522 to 486 B.C. This fixes Haggai in history at 520 B.C.
Background. As Haggai came to his task in 520 B.C., he joined the exiles who had returned to their homeland in 536 B.C. to rebuild the temple of the Lord. They had started well, building an altar and offering sacrifices, then laying the foundation for the Lord’s house the following year. Construction had ceased, however, as enemies mocked the builders’ efforts. But the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah caused the people to rally and complete the task within five years. The rebuilt temple was dedicated in 515 B.C.
Content. The Book of Haggai addresses three problems common to all people of all times, and gives three inspired solutions to those problems. The first problem is disinterest (1:1–15). The people had returned from exile for the stated purpose of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2–4) and had made a start on their assigned task; but opposition had appeared and the work had stopped. The people had become more concerned with building beautiful houses for themselves, perhaps in an attempt to blot out the memory of their exile in a strange land (1:4). To wake them from their apathetic attitude, God speaks twice to the people. They first need to realize that they are fruitless (1:5, 6) because they have turned from God’s house to their own houses (1:7–9). All their efforts at building their own kingdom can never produce lasting results. After seeing their problem, the people then need to understand that God will accept what they do, that He will be glorified if they will only yield to Him what they have (1:8).
The second problem is discouragement (2:1–9). Some of the older people in the band of returned exiles had seen Solomon’s temple when they were children, so that no building, however beautiful, could compare with the glory of that former temple (2:3). The discouragement of the older people had quickly influenced the younger ones until, less than a month after the rebuilding began, work on the temple had ceased. But again Haggai brings a message designed to deal decisively with discouragement. The solution has two parts: one to deal with the immediate problem, the other to bring a long-range resolution. For the present it is enough for the people to “be strong ... be strong ... be strong ... and work” (2:4). The other key to overcoming discouragement is for the builders to know that they are building for the day when God will so fill this house with glory that it will surpass the glory of Solomon’s temple (2:9).
The final issue that Haggai has to face is the problem of dissatisfaction (2:10–23). Now that the people are working, they expect an immediate reversal of all their years of inactivity. So the prophet comes with a question for the priests (2:12, 13) about clean and unclean things and their influence on one another. The response of the priests is that uncleanness is infectious while holiness is not. The application is obvious: Do not expect the work of three months to undo the neglect of sixteen years. The Lord’s next word to the people is a surprise: “But from this day I will bless you” (2:19). The people needed to understand that God’s blessings cannot be earned, but come as gracious gifts from a giving God. God has chosen Zerubbabel to be a sign (2:23), that is, to represent the servant nature to be fulfilled ultimately in Zerubbabel’s greatest Son, Jesus. Note Zerubbabel’s name in both the genealogical lists in the Gospels (Matt. 1; Luke 3), indicating that God’s final, highest blessing is a Person, His Son Jesus Christ.
Personal Application. Haggai issues a clear call to his own people and to us that we should set ourselves to the task assigned to us by God. We should not allow difficulties, enemies, or selfish pursuits to turn us aside from our divinely given responsibilities. The noble nature of our calling and the promised presence of God and His Holy Spirit encourage us to fulfill our commission.
By emphasizing the cooperative roles of prophet, priest, prince, and people, Haggai also demonstrates the necessity for teamwork in carrying out God’s purposes on Earth.
Christ Revealed. Two references to Christ in the Book of Haggai are highlighted. The first is 2:6–9, which begins by explaining that what God will do in the new temple will one day gain international attention. After an upheaval among the peoples of the Earth, the nations will be drawn to the temple to discover what they had been looking for: the One whom all the nations have desired will be displayed in splendor in the temple. The presence of this One will cause the memory of Solomon’s glorious temple to fade so that only Christ’s glory remains. Along with the glory of Christ’s presence will come great peace, since the resplendent Prince of Peace Himself will be there.
The second reference to the coming Messiah is 2:23. The book closes with a mention of Zerubbabel, which ties this book, near the end of the Old Testament, with the first book in the New Testament: Zerubbabel is one of the people listed in the genealogies of Jesus. Two things make Zerubbabel significant and link him to Christ:1. Zerubbabel is a sign of a man chosen by God, from whose yielded nature God causes to flow life, leadership, and ministry. What Zerubbabel did in part, Jesus did in full as the Servant of the Lord.2. Zerubbabel is also in the line of the Messiah. The lists of Jesus’ ancestors in Matthew and Luke include the name of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, whose own personal significance was surpassed by his role as one who pointed ahead to the coming Savior of the world.
The Holy Spirit at Work. A brief but beautiful reference to the Holy Spirit is found in 2:5. The previous verses show the people of God discouraged as they compare the temple they are now building with the glorious temple of Solomon, which the new temple is meant to replace. The word of the Lord to them is: “Be strong ... and work.” The motivation to do this is also stated: “For I am with you.”
Haggai 2:5 then explains how the Spirit of God is meant to interact with the spirit of the people in order to get the work accomplished. Verse 5 includes these significant points:1. The Holy Spirit is a vital part of God’s covenant with His people, “according to the word that I covenanted with you.”2. The Holy Spirit is an abiding gift to the people of God: “My Spirit remains among you.”3. The presence of the Holy Spirit removes fear from the hearts of God’s people. Therefore, “Do not fear!”
These principles remain the same for the people of God today. At the heart of God’s covenant with His people is the constant operation of the Holy Spirit, working to release them from fear, so that they may move boldly in fulfilling the divine commission.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
HAGGAI
Author: Haggai
Date: 520 B.C.
Theme: Rebuilding the Temple
Key Words: The Lord’s House, Consider, Glory
Author. Haggai, whose name means “Festive,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Zechariah. Haggai had the qualities of a good pastor. An encourager whose word was in tune with the hearts of the people and the mind of God, he was the Lord’s messenger with the Lord’s message, bringing to his discouraged band the assurance of God’s presence.
Date. Haggai’s ministry covered a period of slightly less than four months during the second year of the reign of King Darius, who ruled Persia from 522 to 486 B.C. This fixes Haggai in history at 520 B.C.
Background. As Haggai came to his task in 520 B.C., he joined the exiles who had returned to their homeland in 536 B.C. to rebuild the temple of the Lord. They had started well, building an altar and offering sacrifices, then laying the foundation for the Lord’s house the following year. Construction had ceased, however, as enemies mocked the builders’ efforts. But the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah caused the people to rally and complete the task within five years. The rebuilt temple was dedicated in 515 B.C.
Content. The Book of Haggai addresses three problems common to all people of all times, and gives three inspired solutions to those problems. The first problem is disinterest (1:1–15). The people had returned from exile for the stated purpose of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2–4) and had made a start on their assigned task; but opposition had appeared and the work had stopped. The people had become more concerned with building beautiful houses for themselves, perhaps in an attempt to blot out the memory of their exile in a strange land (1:4). To wake them from their apathetic attitude, God speaks twice to the people. They first need to realize that they are fruitless (1:5, 6) because they have turned from God’s house to their own houses (1:7–9). All their efforts at building their own kingdom can never produce lasting results. After seeing their problem, the people then need to understand that God will accept what they do, that He will be glorified if they will only yield to Him what they have (1:8).
The second problem is discouragement (2:1–9). Some of the older people in the band of returned exiles had seen Solomon’s temple when they were children, so that no building, however beautiful, could compare with the glory of that former temple (2:3). The discouragement of the older people had quickly influenced the younger ones until, less than a month after the rebuilding began, work on the temple had ceased. But again Haggai brings a message designed to deal decisively with discouragement. The solution has two parts: one to deal with the immediate problem, the other to bring a long-range resolution. For the present it is enough for the people to “be strong ... be strong ... be strong ... and work” (2:4). The other key to overcoming discouragement is for the builders to know that they are building for the day when God will so fill this house with glory that it will surpass the glory of Solomon’s temple (2:9).
The final issue that Haggai has to face is the problem of dissatisfaction (2:10–23). Now that the people are working, they expect an immediate reversal of all their years of inactivity. So the prophet comes with a question for the priests (2:12, 13) about clean and unclean things and their influence on one another. The response of the priests is that uncleanness is infectious while holiness is not. The application is obvious: Do not expect the work of three months to undo the neglect of sixteen years. The Lord’s next word to the people is a surprise: “But from this day I will bless you” (2:19). The people needed to understand that God’s blessings cannot be earned, but come as gracious gifts from a giving God. God has chosen Zerubbabel to be a sign (2:23), that is, to represent the servant nature to be fulfilled ultimately in Zerubbabel’s greatest Son, Jesus. Note Zerubbabel’s name in both the genealogical lists in the Gospels (Matt. 1; Luke 3), indicating that God’s final, highest blessing is a Person, His Son Jesus Christ.
Personal Application. Haggai issues a clear call to his own people and to us that we should set ourselves to the task assigned to us by God. We should not allow difficulties, enemies, or selfish pursuits to turn us aside from our divinely given responsibilities. The noble nature of our calling and the promised presence of God and His Holy Spirit encourage us to fulfill our commission.
By emphasizing the cooperative roles of prophet, priest, prince, and people, Haggai also demonstrates the necessity for teamwork in carrying out God’s purposes on Earth.
Christ Revealed. Two references to Christ in the Book of Haggai are highlighted. The first is 2:6–9, which begins by explaining that what God will do in the new temple will one day gain international attention. After an upheaval among the peoples of the Earth, the nations will be drawn to the temple to discover what they had been looking for: the One whom all the nations have desired will be displayed in splendor in the temple. The presence of this One will cause the memory of Solomon’s glorious temple to fade so that only Christ’s glory remains. Along with the glory of Christ’s presence will come great peace, since the resplendent Prince of Peace Himself will be there.
The second reference to the coming Messiah is 2:23. The book closes with a mention of Zerubbabel, which ties this book, near the end of the Old Testament, with the first book in the New Testament: Zerubbabel is one of the people listed in the genealogies of Jesus. Two things make Zerubbabel significant and link him to Christ:1. Zerubbabel is a sign of a man chosen by God, from whose yielded nature God causes to flow life, leadership, and ministry. What Zerubbabel did in part, Jesus did in full as the Servant of the Lord.2. Zerubbabel is also in the line of the Messiah. The lists of Jesus’ ancestors in Matthew and Luke include the name of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, whose own personal significance was surpassed by his role as one who pointed ahead to the coming Savior of the world.
The Holy Spirit at Work. A brief but beautiful reference to the Holy Spirit is found in 2:5. The previous verses show the people of God discouraged as they compare the temple they are now building with the glorious temple of Solomon, which the new temple is meant to replace. The word of the Lord to them is: “Be strong ... and work.” The motivation to do this is also stated: “For I am with you.”
Haggai 2:5 then explains how the Spirit of God is meant to interact with the spirit of the people in order to get the work accomplished. Verse 5 includes these significant points:1. The Holy Spirit is a vital part of God’s covenant with His people, “according to the word that I covenanted with you.”2. The Holy Spirit is an abiding gift to the people of God: “My Spirit remains among you.”3. The presence of the Holy Spirit removes fear from the hearts of God’s people. Therefore, “Do not fear!”
These principles remain the same for the people of God today. At the heart of God’s covenant with His people is the constant operation of the Holy Spirit, working to release them from fear, so that they may move boldly in fulfilling the divine commission.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
