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Part 12 of the Series:
“search the scriptures” John 5:39
Haggai was the only man in the Bible who bore this name, meaning ‘My feast’. His ministry was to stir up the people of God to complete the work of rebuilding the temple, God’s dwelling place. His is the second shortest book of the Old Testament and the first of the three post-exilic books that complete the Minor Prophets.
Haggai’s ministry worked in tandem with that of Zechariah. Some have suggested that he was older and may have seen Solomon’s temple before the exile, while Zechariah was younger and born in Babylon. This reminds us of the importance of ministry from one generation to the next like that of Moses and Joshua, and of Paul and Timothy.
When the Jews returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple, the foundation was laid in a short time and the people shouted with a great shout, Ezra 3. 13. That shout got the attention of their enemies, 4. 1. Their threats caused the people to lose heart for the work of God, and they began working on their own homes instead.
To get the work going again required more than a governor and high priest. It required the word of God and a prophet. Haggai was that prophet to bring it to them! While we know very little about the messenger, we understand the message - get back to work!
People like Haggai make us uncomfortable, to say the least. Their zeal convicts us, and their blunt questions make us ashamed. In two chapters we read four messages that compare to Hebrews chapter 10 verse 24 - ‘And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works’, NKJV.
The first message is one of conviction, 1. 1-15
It begins with a calendar. The dating of Haggai is precise and poignant. You can determine where your heart is by two books - a chequebook and a calendar. How we spend our money and how we spend our time. The people said, ‘The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built’, v. 2. In reply, Haggai asked, ‘Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?’ v. 4 NKJV. ‘Consider your ways‘, vv. 5, 7.
Because of their disobedience, the Lord chastened His people. It was the Lord who had brought the drought upon the land of hills and valleys that was dependent on rain from heaven, which was dependent in turn upon their obedience to Him, Deut. 11. 10-17. That was His design from the beginning when He gave them the land.
Haggai reveals they were lacking the basic things of life: food, drink, clothing, 1. 6. The Lord is the One from whom these things come. Jesus said, ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you’, Matt. 6. 33 NKJV. They wanted the gifts without the Giver. The Lord brought their desire for things to a disappointing end and called on them to give Him first place in their lives.
It worked, and they obeyed the Lord. Therefore, the Lord blessed them with the message of His presence saying, ‘I am with you’, 1. 13. The word had stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, of Joshua, and of the people.
It begins with a comparison of the former temple in its glory to the new temple, v. 3, followed by a call to all to be strong. God made a promise in the past when He brought them out of Egypt and He now makes a threefold promise for the future:
The third message is a call to consecration, 2. 10-19.
It begins with a ‘Q & A session’ with the priests concerning which is transmittable, holiness or uncleanness. Holiness is not transmittable, but sin is highly contagious and has spread to the whole human race and brought death to every person, Rom. 5. 12. Their sin had defiled every work of their hands, v. 14, so the Lord struck them and diminished their harvest, v. 17. But ‘Consider now‘, He says, and I will bless you from this day, vv. 18, 19.
The fourth message is a comfort, 2. 20-23
God, in His power, will shake heaven and earth, and overthrow the kingdoms of this world. In that future day, the Messiah will come and reign as King of kings, typified by the signet ring of Zerubbabel. Truly, One greater than the temple is seen in this closing and coming prophecy. What a comfort!
By application, we started with the foundation. It is essential. Many believers have a solid foundation, and that is good, but they also need to grow. Spiritually, they may be rock solid - with the basics, but without fellowship and service with joy, there is no growth!
What will it take to stir us up to build ourselves up in our most holy faith? People like Haggai to make us uncomfortable? Why not consider our ways now - and give the Lord first place in our lives?
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