Haggai introduction – the key to a fulfilling life
I generally introduce a book first but given we have already had the background in the Book of Ezra, I decided to leave the overview until the end as a kind of summary to the book.
Haggai’s prophecies in the book are dated to the second year of Darius, king of Persia (520 BC) and span a few months from August to December of that year. The prophet ministered in the period after the exiles returned from Babylon Introduction to Ezra-Nehemiah) when, after initial enthusiasm, work on the temple building stopped. Ezra 4 suggests that local inhabitants discouraged the project and falsely accused the builders to the authorities (Difficulties in God’s work and His purposes [Ezra 4:4-24]). Haggai reveals that there were also internal problems that caused God’s house to be neglected.
Summary of themes
As the book opens, the exiles are engrossed in their own lives; their pressing needs to make ends meet, as well as the desire to improve their lot are taking precedence over temple building. In effect, the people have lost their way (Discerning when we lost our way [Hag 1:1-6]). God’s wake-up call comes to them in two ways, through dissatisfaction with what they have, which never seems enough, and through the prophet, Haggai, who interprets events and confronts them with God’s verdict on their wrong priorities (Are natural disasters a sign of sin? [Hag 1:7-11]).
The two leaders, Zerubbabel, a Davidic descendant, and Joshua, the high priest (called Jeshua in Ezra) respond with obedience and God reassures them of His presence and stirs them up to re-start the building (How change happens, and the difference God makes [Hag 1:12-15]). It does not take them long, however, to become overwhelmed by the enormity of their task. Yet God once again encourages them (How God responds when we feel overwhelmed [Hag 2:1-9]). While their efforts may seem negligible compared to the former temple, God’s presence gives them confidence for the work now and offers future hope. It is He who makes all the difference.
Finally, as the foundations of the temple are re-laid, Haggai looks both to the past and the future. The people’s neglect of the temple earlier was like an impurity that defiled everything they put their hands to, but now that their relationship with God was on the mend, they could expect fruitfulness to follow (The attitude that affects everything [Hag 10-19]). Moreover, they were reminded that God had power over the peoples of the world and would restore Israel with a Davidic king at its helm (The hope that gives perspective on the present [Hag 2:20-23]).
The structure of the book[1]
| 29 Aug | Hag 1:1-11 | ‘The time has not come to build God’s house’ |
| 21 Sep | Hag 1:12-15 | Temple building started, ‘I am with you’ |
| 17 Oct | Hag 2:1-9 | Overwhelmed, ‘I am with you’ |
| 18 Dec | Hag 2:10-19 | Temple foundations laid, from defilement to blessing |
| 18 Dec | Hag 2:20-23 | God will restore the Davidic king |
The focal point: God’s presence
All the events and prophecies in the book circle around the temple and this gives us the clue to its central theme. God’s house signified His presence among Israel, and this is what distinguished them as His people (Exod 33:16; Deut 4:7). Thus, neglecting to build the temple indicated that the Lord’s presence was not their priority. Yet, it was vital to resolving their present difficulties and the key to future hope and restoration. Without it, their lives lacked God’s blessing and fulfilment.
For us Christians, it is no longer a building that signifies God’s presence. Rather, we have become the temple where God’s Spirit dwells (1 Cor 6:17, 19). Although He will not leave us, it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30), to silence His voice and live as if God were not there. However, when the Lord is not first in our lives, we shall be barren in spiritual terms. As Jesus expressed this with a different metaphor, He is the vine and we are the branches and unless we are deeply connected to Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). We may be involved in frantic activity, even in kingdom work, and yet, in Jesus’ words, be fruitless. God often uses circumstances as well as His Word to make us see the connection between the shape of our lives and the shape of our relationship with Him. Like the exiles we are called to let God’s presence and the relationship with Him permeate every area of our lives.
[1] Knowing Israel’s lunar calendar and that the year was 520BC, it is possible to convert the dates in the book into our dating system.
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