Haggai

The setting is Jerusalem, after the Jews returned from their seventy year captivity in Babylon. Haggai was a contemporary of Zechariah and between the two of them they tried to get the Jews to get their priorities straight by returning to the building of the temple.

Hag 1:2, “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.’ Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains in ruin?’”

The people were busy building their fancy homes, but they did not have the time or money to get the temple built. Some of us can always find the money and time for what we want, but no time or money for the work of God. “I’d love to help such a good cause, but I’m a little strapped for cash. Call me next year.” Notice that their homes are described as “paneled.” This is an indication of wealth.

Hag 1:5, “Give careful thoughts to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little.”

Jesus said in Matt 6:33 “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” We need to put God first, everything else, including His blessings, will follow. These people were not being blessed by God, as they could have been. They planted much, but have harvested little.

Hag 1:14, “So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, the governor; Joshua, the high priest and the whole remnant of the people and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord.”

The people resumed building the temple. Upon completion there were mixed reactions. Those who never saw the first temple were impressed with the new one. Those who remembered Solomon’s Temple were disappointed with it (2:3). It did not contain the Ark of the Covenant or the Shechinah Glory. The people were a bit discouraged so they need some encouraging words.

Hag 2:9, “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”

Here the people are reassured that although this temple is not as fancy as Solomon’s, it will have the honor of the presence of the Messiah. Not only that, but this temple would be remodeled and expanded by King Herod to make it even greater than Solomon’s.