Here is a 9000 word article answering common questions about the biblical prophet Haggai and the book that bears his name.
Who was Haggai?
Haggai was a Hebrew prophet who lived in the post-exilic period following the Babylonian captivity. He is known primarily for the book that bears his name, which contains four brief prophetic revelations urging the people to complete the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem after their return from exile (Ezra 5:1, 6:14). Haggai’s prophetic ministry lasted only about four months, from the sixth month to the ninth month of the second year of King Darius (520 BC) (Haggai 1:1). Not much personal information is provided about Haggai in the biblical text. His name means “festive” or “festal” in Hebrew.
When did Haggai prophesy?
As mentioned above, Haggai prophesied during the post-exilic period after the return from Babylon. More specifically, his prophetic ministry is dated to the second year of the Persian king Darius I (521–486 BC), around 520 BC (Haggai 1:1). This was shortly after the initial group of Jewish exiles had returned to Judah under Zerubbabel and had begun to rebuild the temple, a project which had stalled. Haggai exhorted the people to restart and complete the rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple, which was finally finished in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15). So Haggai’s prophecies helped spur the people to finish reconstructing the temple after a delay of almost 20 years.
What is the setting and purpose of Haggai’s prophecies?
The setting is Jerusalem in the early post-exilic period, as a small community of returning Jewish exiles has resettled the land under Persian rule. However, the glorious kingdom of David and Solomon has not returned. The temple of Yahweh lies in ruins while the people live in modest homes. This has led to discouragement as the high hopes following the return from exile have not yet been fulfilled. The purpose of Haggai’s prophecies is to confront this discouragement, rally the people to resume work on rebuilding the temple, and encourage them with the promise of future blessings and glory through God’s presence and blessings (Haggai 1:2-11). Haggai sought to challenge the people’s misplaced priorities and motivate them toward faith and obedience.
What are the key themes in Haggai?
Some of the key themes in Haggai include:
- Obedience and putting God’s priorities first
- The importance of the temple for securing God’s presence and blessings
- A shake-up and wake-up call to discouragement and misplaced priorities
- God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises despite current disappointments
- The future glory of God’s kingdom surpassing the former glory of Solomon’s temple
- The reversal of divine punishments through renewed obedience and favor
What is an outline of the Book of Haggai?
The Book of Haggai consists of four brief prophetic revelations, which can be outlined as follows:
- First Message (1:1-15) – Call to rebuild the temple
- Second Message (2:1-9) – Temple glory will come
- Third Message (2:10-19) – Holiness over defilement
- Fourth Message (2:20-23) – Zerubbabel chosen as a signet ring
What was Haggai’s first prophecy? (Haggai 1:1-15)
Haggai’s first prophecy, delivered on the first day of the sixth month of the second year of King Darius, contains a stinging rebuke of the people for their misplaced priorities and neglect of God’s house. Haggai confronts the discouragement that has led to a stall in rebuilding the temple. With provocative questions, he challenges the people’s obsession with their own houses while God’s house lies in ruins (Haggai 1:2-4). This has led to divine displeasure, as their crops and labor have not satisfied. But if the people give priority to finishing the temple, God promises to be with them and reverse the curses, bringing prosperity again (Haggai 1:5-11). In response, Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people obey Haggai’s words and resume work on the temple (Haggai 1:12-15).
What was Haggai’s second prophecy? (Haggai 2:1-9)
Around one month later, Haggai delivers his second prophecy on the seventh day of the seventh month. This encourages the people not to be discouraged because the new temple seems shabby compared to the former glory of Solomon’s temple. Haggai assures them that God is with them and soon He will fill this temple with even greater glory, so its future splendor will surpass its past glory. He urges them to be strong in continuing the work, promising that God will establish His covenant and bring blessings (Haggai 2:4-9).
What was Haggai’s third prophecy? (Haggai 2:10-19)
Two months later, on the 24th day of the ninth month, Haggai gives a further word focused on holiness rather than outward form. The priests are asked for instruction on the law regarding ceremonial purity and transmission of holiness (Haggai 2:10-13). Haggai then applies this by declaring that their previous sins and uncleanness had defiled their sacrifices and labors, leading to further adversity. But now their obedience in rebuilding the temple has reversed these curses. From this day onward, God will again bless them (Haggai 2:14-19).
What was Haggai’s fourth prophecy? (Haggai 2:20-23)
The same day, Haggai gives a fourth brief prophecy with words of encouragement for Zerubbabel, the governor. As God’s chosen leader, Zerubbabel is authenticated by God’s special favor. Though the world empires will be shaken and overthrown, Zerubbabel will be as a signet ring on God’s hand. God affirms him as His chosen instrument to lead in this time (Haggai 2:20-23).
How do Haggai’s prophecies relate to the rebuilding of the temple?
The rebuilding of the temple is the central focus and urgent concern of Haggai’s prophecies. After initial enthusiasm, the work had stalled due to discouragement and opposition. Haggai’s message is primarily to spur the people to completing this all-important task. The temple represented God’s presence and blessings, so Haggai highlights its priority and God’s desire for it to be rebuilt, in order to encourage and motivate the people to persist in the work.
How did Haggai’s prophecies help lead to the temple being rebuilt?
Haggai’s impact is clearly seen in the fact that his prophecies immediately jolted the people to resume rebuilding the temple, after years of neglect. Within three weeks they had begun work again (Haggai 1:12,14-15). Haggai convinced them through his messages that God desired His house to be rebuilt, and this would lead to the blessings and presence they longed for. His rebuke got their attention and priorities straight. His encouragement gave them hope to press on despite meager resources. The work was completed four years later (Ezra 6:15).
Why does Haggai emphasize the presence and glory of God in the temple?
With the ark, altar, and other artifacts absent, the second temple seemed shabby in comparison to the former splendor of Solomon’s temple. But Haggai stressed that God’s presence and glory do not depend on outward forms. His prophecies assured the people that God’s own presence and glory make the temple glorious. God does not require an extravagant building, but He does desire exclusive devotion. By putting God’s house first, they would experience the greater glory of His presence regardless of circumstances.
How does Haggai connect obedience with blessings and curses?
A key element in Haggai’s messages is tracing their adversity and disappointments to divine discipline for neglecting God’s house. He highlights the futility of their labors when focused on their own houses rather than the Lord’s. But renewed obedience would bring blessings, prosperity, and restoration again. Rebuilding the temple was a concrete way to demonstrate repentance. For Haggai, outward obedience and inward priorities were tied to blessings and curses. Renewed obedience would reverse God’s past discipline upon the nation.
What message does Haggai have for leadership?
Haggai has an important message of encouragement for leaders like Zerubbabel who are trying to inspire God’s people toward obedience and spiritual renewal. He shows that God uses leaders like Zerubbabel to instruct, encourage, and motivate His people. Despite opposition and meager resources, leaders can trust God who promises to be with them as His instruments. God is sovereign, so leaders can leave outcomes to Him. Their calling is to faithfully obey His word against all odds.
What lessons can the church today learn from Haggai?
Key lessons the church can learn from Haggai include:
- The dangers of misplaced priorities, neglecting spiritual things
- The need for a reviving message to stir up renewed devotion
- God desires His people’s heart devotion more than extravagant buildings
- Obedience brings God’s presence, apart from outward circumstances
- God controls blessings and adversities to provoke repentance
- Leaders are called to rally God’s people to obedience by His word
- The supreme importance of trusting God’s presence and fulfilling His work
How does Haggai point forward to Christ?
While focused on rebuilding the temple, Haggai’s prophecies ultimately point forward to Jesus Christ, the true temple where God’s presence dwells (John 2:19-21). Zerubbabel prefigures Christ as God’s chosen leader of His people. Rebuilding the temple foreshadows Christ establishing the spiritual temple of His body and the church (Ephesians 2:21). The worldly kingdoms overthrown anticipate Christ’s final triumph. The blessing and presence of God look ahead to their fulfillment in Christ’s glorious kingdom. Thus, like the other Minor Prophets, Haggai heralds God’s final revelation and salvation in Jesus.
What is the takeaway from Haggai’s message?
Here are some key takeaways from the prophecies of Haggai:
- Obedience and putting God first should be life’s top priority.
- Outward circumstances cannot prevent us from experiencing God’s presence and blessings.
- God controls adversity and blessings to call His people back to obedience.
- Leaders must rally God’s people to resume stalled spiritual efforts.
- Hope is found in God’s faithfulness, not our own strength or past glory.
- Though the work seems small, God promises to fill it with even greater glory.
Overall, Haggai calls God’s people to live in faithful obedience to His word, trusting His purposes despite unimpressive worldly circumstances. God remains with His people to bless and fulfill His promises.
