THE BOOK OF HAGGAI

INTRODUCTION:

1.TITLE / AUTHOR: HAGGAI. He was a Post-Exile prophet, who was contemporary with Zechariah and Malachi.

2.He was a prophet to the Jews who returned to Jerusalem from the Babylonian Captivity; He reproved them for neglecting to build the temple.

3.CONTEXT: Ezra 4:23-6:15.

4.DATE: Covers about four months in 520 BC.

a.Sixteen years earlier (536 BC), the Persian Emperor Cyrus decreed the rebuilding of Jehovah’s temple in Jerusalem.

b.Judah had been conquered, Jerusalem burned, the temple demolished, and the people exiled to Babylon: 606-586 BC.

c.Then after seventy years a “remnant” of about 50,000 of the people were allowed to return under the leadership of Zerubbabel and start rebuilding the temple: 536 BC.

1)The temple was essential to the Nation’s spirituality (the center of worship, the place of God’s Presence).

2)Without it they could not expect God’s favor.

d.Two years later (534 BC), the temple foundation had been laid, but the Jews had mixed feelings - Ezra 3:8-13.

5.Discouragement then came: There was crop failure, seemingly fruitless hard work, and the hostility of the Samaritans.

a.Prospects for rebuilding had seemed bright in 536 BC, but now (520 BC) the circumstances appeared gloomy.

1)Samaritans were misrepresenting the Jews to Cyrus.

2)It was easier to stop building than to fight, so they quit the work in 534 BC -- See Ezra 4.

b.Now fourteen more years had gone by, the temple was not built, and the foundation had grown up with weeds.

6.Discouragement (and no temple) led to a period of cold religion and lax morals among the returnees.

7.They developed the theory that “the temple is not to be rebuilt until later” as an excuse to neglect building it.

8.In this context God called Haggai and Zechariah - Ezra 5:1-2.

9.THEME: The Temple.

10.LESSON: Be Strong And Work is the cure for discouragement, even in difficulty. When people put God first, without bargaining with Him, He will bless them - 1Co 15:58.

1.A CALL TO COMPLETION -- GOD AROUSES:
CHAPTER 1 -- PRIORITIES.

A.This is the FIRST of FIVE MESSAGES given through Haggai; Zerubbabel and Joshua were leaders, responsible for the work and enthusiasm of the people, Verse 1.

B.The First Problem was FALSE CONTENTMENT produced by their theory that “THE TIME IS NOT COME,” Verse 2.

1.They seem to have been waiting for the great moment (for God to provide favorable circumstances?)

2.LESSON: When God speaks, or when we can make an opportunity to serve, don’t wait for “just the right time” (the right time is NOW).

C.Selfishness and unconcern then turned them from emphasis on God’s will and work to emphasis on their own personal affairs.

1.So they had no problem in building rich dwellings for themselves (their god was SELF), Verses 3-4.

2.This was not the last time the people of God have provided for self instead of serving God at sacrifice of self.

3.While THIS HOUSE (the temple) LIETH WASTE (they were not giving attention where their energy and wealth belonged).

D.CONSIDER: “Set your heart, look at yourself, see what you’ve done” (a rebuke to them for putting personal prosperity ahead of religious responsibility), Verse 5.

E.When they became satisfied with the status quo, God withdrew His blessings; The Nation sank into economic depression, Verse 6.

F.They did not recognize what was happening because of their indifference to God, Verse 7.

G.To correct FALSE CONTENTMENT: Their immediate duty was to build, and thus glorify God, Verse 8 (GO - BRING - BUILD).

H.God had withheld good harvests; He did not do it to amuse Himself,
but rather He did it for their sake, Verses 9-11.

I.God’s Word in the SECOND MESSAGE through Haggai was powerful, and the people responded to it, Verse 12.

J.They were given needed assurance, Verse 13; cf Rom 8:31.

K.At last, work on the temple was underway again, Verses 14-15.

L.Haggai and Zechariah helped to get the temple completed in 515 BC - Ezra 6:14-16.

2.A CALL TO CONFIDENCE -- GOD SUPPORTS:
2:1-9 -- PERSPECTIVE.

A.Second Problem: FALSE DISCONTENT; They compared this new beginning to the first temple, Verses 1-3 (THIRD MESSAGE, Verse 1).

1.Some had wept (as some rejoiced) fifteen years earlier, when the foundation of the temple was laid - Ezra 3:12.

2.What they saw now seemed “so insignificant” (their outlook was material, not spiritual).

3.They did not have the resources and riches of Solomon’s prosperous times; It was now a different era.

B.It can be perilous for US to desire experiences today like those of the past; Time goes only one way -- Forward.

1.History of the First Century, of the 1930’s, the 1950’s, the 1980’s, etc. is exactly that: HISTORY.

2.So it would be sinful to waste energy wishing for that which is forever gone - Phi 3:12-14.

C.Correction for FALSE DISCONTENT: Their duty was to BE STRONG AND WORK, Verse 4.

1.They could do all God expected, so they must not be discouraged
and sit idle.

2.God’s method of being encouraged and energized is GET BUSY!

D.Haggai’s prophetic Word of encouragement reminded the people of God’s covenant promises, Verse 5.

1.God had covenanted that He would be with them - Ex 19:5-6;
24:8; 29:45.

2.Their strength (like ours) was in Deity, not in material splendor -
Eph 6:10.

E.They could be confident because of God’s confident plans for the future, Verses 6-9.

1.His plans for future glory would be fulfilled soon, Verse 6.

2.SHAKE: The immediate reference seems to be to political up-heavals of the time, the overthrow of nations - cf Isa 13: 13 (context: Babylon); Joel 2:10 (context: Judah); And perhaps others.

3.DESIRE (PRECIOUS THINGS, ASV), Verse 7.

a.Is this saying the valuable things of other nations was to go into the construction of the temple?

b.If SILVER AND GOLD are needed, God will provide these needs from the Gentiles, Verse 8.

c.As He shook and removed heathen nations, He is now shaking and removing perishable things (all material things of earth) to make way for unshakable things (the Kingdom, the Word, Heaven, our Inheritance) - Heb 12:26-28.

1)So this is a preview of the glory of the new House of God of the New Testament, Verse 9; cf 1Ti 3:15.

2)The assembly of God’s people today is filled with glory more than was the material temple - Eph 3:21.

3)There is PEACE in His House now - Phi 4:7.

3.A CALL TO CLEANSING -- GOD CONFIRMS:
2:10-19 -- PURITY.

A.Three months from 1:14-15, The FOURTH MESSAGE, Verse 10.

B.Third Problem: FALSE EXPECTATION.

1.They had now worked for weeks (about three months), but there was no sign of better conditions.

2.They expected immediate material blessings to result from their moral reformation.

C.Two questions to the priests (those who knew the Law), Verse 11.

1.First: Is there communication of holiness by holy objects on contact with them?, Verse 12.

ANSWER: NO, Holiness is not transmitted physically.

2.Second: Any communication of legal defilement by contact?, Verse 13.

ANSWER: YES; The law was explicit - Num 19:11-22.

D.The people had to be made to understand THEY were unclean (they had touched the unclean in the time of Captivity; Compare Israel in Assyria - Hos 9:3), Verse 14.

E.They were admonished not to give consideration to what had happened, Verse 15.

1.Before this they suffered judgment for their sin, Verses 16-17.

2.Sin’s pollution goes deep; Even all nature is affected by it.

3.There was lack of success in all areas because of their uncleanness and their earlier neglect of the temple.

4.This taught them the terrible evil of their sin of 1:2,4.

F.From this day forward God would bless them, Verses 18-19.

1.So, the correction for the Problem of FALSE EXPECTATION (for them and for us): PATIENCE.

2.Patiently wait on God; Blessing would come as a gift of grace, not as the result of their efforts and accomplishments (true for us also).

3.LESSON: Obedience to God must be in purity, and without any bargaining -- “No strings attached” (as in the promise to God that
I will do so and so if He will do this and that).

4.Be content to believe and work (BE STRONG AND WORK), and without question, leave any material results to God.

4.A CALL TO COURAGE -- GOD ASSURES:
2:20-23 -- POWER.

A.Zerubbabel, the governor, was told (in the FIFTH MESSAGE) that God would bring down the nations, Verses 20-21.

B.Fourth Problem: FALSE FEAR (of the nations around them, and their military might).

C.Correction for FALSE FEAR: Trust in the superior might of Jehovah, Verse 22; cf 1Jn 4:4.

D.HAGGAI closes with a vision of Zerubbabel’s honor when the nations are overthrown, Verse 23.

1.God’s SIGNET (seal of approval): In Zerubbabel the hope was to be realized.

2.The line of Davidic kings had been cut off at Coniah (same as Jehoiachin, or Jechonias) - Jer 22:24-30.

3.Promise to David (2Sa 7:11-14) now renewed in Zerubbabel.

4.Honor was not to come to Zerubbabel personally, but was to be seen in his lineage - Mt 1:12-16.

**HAGGAI IN FOUR WORDS:

Be Strong And Work.

**CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOOK OF HAGGAI TO THE BIBLE:

1.In some form Haggai appeals twenty-six times in thirty-eight verses to THUS SAITH THE LORD; That appeal to Divine authority moved the people and brought good results -- It is the basis of all successful teachiing then and now - 1Pe 4:11.

2.God demands first place in our lives and our service, with no false: CONTENT / DISCONTENT / EXPECTATION / FEAR.

**CHRIST IN THE BOOK OF HAGGAI:

1.Some think He is the DESIRE of 2:9 (He fulfills the desires of all with the blessings of the New Dispensation).

2.He IS the One Who came from Zerubbabel, 2:23; Mt 1:12-16.

**CONCLUSION:

1.If you are a saint: BE STRONG AND WORK.

2.If not: Find PEACE in the kingdom of the Messiah - Jn 7:37.