Haggai

Historical Background and Purpose of Prophet:

Haggai. Straight to the point. In the time of Haggai the Israelites had turned their focus from God to themselves. Focusing on building up their lives and become comfortable, they neglected to build the temple. “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? (Haggai 1:4) His purpose was to call the people back to putting the Lord first. Haggai returned to Babylon with Zerubbabel and worked alongside Zachariah rebuilding the walls and temple. “All four sermons of Haggai are precisely dated in the year 520 B.C., the second year of the reign of Darius I, King of Persia.” (Nelson’s Pg. 265)

Character and Nature of God:

Haggai reveals that God is a jealous God, demanding to be the priority for His children. Twice, intermixed with rebukes, God comforts his children by saying “I am with you, says the Lord.” (Haggai 1:13, 2:4) In the midst of confusion and distraction, God wanted his character to shine through. He cares for us and is always with us. God’s whole purpose and desire for them to build the temple is so He can use it to fulfill prophesy and their messiah and savior can come. God is selfless in his love.

Redemptive plan:

Jesus is prophesied about and the new covenant he will bring.

“I will fill this place with glory, says the Lord of Heavens Armies…The future glory of this temple will be greater than its past glory, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” (Haggai 2:7-9)

Jesus and the new covenant he will bring is the future glory!!!!

Haggai asked a question to the priest, high lighting a foreshadowing of Jesus and the new covenant. In the Old Testament covenant, if you were to touch a leper you would be made un-clean, in the same way touching a bleeding women would make you unclean. Therefore, un-cleanliness in the Old Testament was more powerful than who were healthy or pure or clean. Haggai’s question will bring light to a new covenant that will make clean what was once un-clean.  

Personal Application

“I am with you, says the Lord!”

“…So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm if the whole remnant.” (Haggai 1:13-14)

Knowing God is with us always is so powerful! It should spark something in my heart. This knowing of His presence and care for me. A spark is light, and it is hot to the touch. I want people to sense this heat in my heart and life and see this light! I want this truth permeate my heart; a knowing of the nearness of God.

Point of Passion

When we come to Jesus it can seem like an overwhelming thing when we focus on ourselves. In our own strength, we can’t clean ourselves up, get healed and healthy. We can become greatly discouraged when we look to ourselves, not God for restoration. Just like the Israelites discouragement in building the wall. It seemed like such a big task, like impossibility. And truly it was. But thanks to God who rebuilds the broken walls in our lives. It is his strength in us!