The Book of Haggai
Once again, little is known of this prophet. Named “feast of Yahweh,” Haggai may have been born during or after the Israelites’ exile, depending on Christian or Jewish tradition. Haggai spoke with effectiveness, so much so that he was successful in moving the people to action. His recorded ministry lasted only 4 months.
Haggai encouraged the Israelites to obey God by rebuilding the temple, and prophesied renewed promises for the future. His book is the 2nd shortest book of the Old Testament.
The Jews needed reassurance that they were still in covenant with God. Haggai provided hope, reaffirming God’s eternal promise to His people.
Historical Context: In the book of Ezra, we know that King Cyrus decreed that the exiled Jews could return from Babylon to Jerusalem specifically to rebuild the city and the temple of the Lord. Due to opposition from the Samaritans, the Israelite’s stopped working on the temple after the foundation was laid. It remained in ruins until 520 B.C. The reign of King Darius I brought stability that allowed the rebuilding to resume. In 520 B.C., Haggai encouraged the people to get back to work.
Haggai 1
The work on the temple began 24 days after Haggai’s message to Zerubbabel and Joshua
The Lord was displeased with Israel, and therefore referred to the Israelites as “these people.” They were using the opposition of their neighbors as a continuous excuse to leave the Lord’s house in ruins.
“Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” (Haggai 1:4) The Israelites were living in completed homes and in luxury, meanwhile the house of the Lord remained destroyed.
Because of their neglect of the temple, the people experienced the curses of their disobedience. They worked hard, but weren’t reaping any of the benefits. They were never satisfied. The earned wages, but were putting them in purses with holes in them.
“You expected much, but it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why? Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.” (Haggai 1:9)
Haggai tells the people of Judah that God has called for a drought, on their lands, produce and crops, and on all of the labor of their hands, because of their disobedience (Haggai 1:11)
The whole remnant heard this and obeyed the voice of God and the message of Haggai, because God had sent him, and they feared the Lord.
Haggai delivered a message of hope from the Lord: “I am with you".” In their obedience, God was with them and they were His people. The work on the house of the Lord Almighty began 24 days later.
