Haggai

Author: Haggai
Date: 520 B.C.
Theme: The reconstruction of the temple
Key Words: The house of the LORD

Author: Haggai, whose name means "festive", was one of the post-exilic authors, a contemporary of Zechariah. Haggai had the qualities of a good pastor. An activist, whose word was in tune with the hearts of the people and the mind of GOD, he acted as the LORD's messenger who transmitted the divine message, and communicated the assurance of the presence of the LORD to his discouraged companions.

Date: Haggai's ministry covers a period of a little less than four months during the second year of the reign of Darius, who governed Persia between the years 522 and 486 B.C. This places the figure of Haggai in 520 B.C.

Background: When Haggai undertook his work in 520 B.C., he gathered the exiles who had returned to their land in 536 B.C. to rebuild the temple of the LORD. They had started well, constructing the altar and offering sacrifices, and the following year laid the foundation of the temple. However, the construction effort ceased before the taunts of the enemies. But the ministries of Haggai and Zechariah made the people recover and led them to complete the work in five years. The rebuilt temple was dedicated in 515 B.C.

Content: The book of Haggai embraces three problems common to all peoples in all ages, and offers three inspired solutions to these problems. The first of them is disinterest (1:1-15). The people had returned from the exile with the declared purpose of reconstructing the temple in Jerusalem (Ezra 1:2-4) and had commenced the assigned work; but opposition arose and the work was detained. The people had cared more about building their own homes, perhaps to forget the time spent in a strange land (1:4). GOD spoke to them on two occasions to awaken them from their apathy. First their needed to recognize that their life was fruitless (1:5,6), because they had deserted the house of GOD to occupy themselves with their own houses (1:7-9). The efforts to construct their own kingdom could never produce permanent fruits. After having been made aware of their problems, the people should understand that GOD would accept the work that they were capable of doing; they would glorify him only by dedicating that which they had to him (1:8).

The second problem is discouragement (2:1-9). Some among the older people within the group of returned exiles had seen the temple of Solomon when they were children, so that no edifice, for the beauty that had been could compare with the glory of the earlier temple (2:3). The discouragement of the elders soon influenced the young, and only a month after the work began the edification of the temple ceased. But, again Haggai directed a message to the people to energetically confront their discouragement. The solution consists of two parts: one deals with the immediate problem, the other offers a solution for the long run. For the moment, it's sufficient that the people be strong...be strong...and work (2:4). The other key to overcome discouragement is to make known to the builders that they are building a temple so that GOD will fill it with his glory, so that it will surpass the old glory of the temple of Solomon (2:9).

The final problem that Haggai confronts is that of dissatisfaction (2:10-23). Now that the people were working, they expected to rapidly make up for the years of inactivity. Then the prophet presents himself before the priests with a question (2:12,13) about clean and unclean things and their reciprocal influence. The answer of the priests is that uncleanness is contagious, while holiness isn't. The lesson is obvious: don't expect the work of three months to compensate for sixty years of negligence. The following Word of GOD for the people is a surprise: "But from this day will I bless you" (2:19). The people must understand that the blessing of GOD can't be bought, but that it was a free gift from a merciful GOD. GOD had chosen Zerubbabel as a sign (2:23), that is, as representative of the nature of the servant, which would have its ultimate expression in the greatest son of Zerubbabel, Jesus. Notice the name of Zerubbabel in the two genealogical lists that appear in the Gospels (Matt. 1; Luke 3), which indicates that the highest and most definitive blessing of GOD is embodied in one person, his Son Jesus Christ.

Theological Contribution: (IBD) Haggai urged the people to put rebuilding the Temple at the top of their list of priorities. This shows that authentic worship is a very important matter. The rebuild Temple in Jerusalem was important as a place of worship and sacrifice. Centuries later, at the death of Jesus "the veil of the Temple was torn in two" (Luke 23:45), demonstrating that He had given Himself as the eternal sacrifice on our behalf.

Special Considerations: (IBD) The Book of Haggai ends with a beautiful promise of the coming of the Messiah. Meanwhile, GOD's special servant, Zerubbabel, was to serve as a "signet ring" (2:23), a sign or promise of the glorious days to come. As the Jewish governor of Jerusalem under appointment by the Persians, Zerubbabel showed there was hope for the full restoration of GOD's Covenant People in their native land.

Personal Application: Haggai launches a clear calling to his own people, that reaches us, of the necessity of dedicating oneself to the work assigned by GOD. We mustn't allow difficulties, enemies, or selfish desires, to separate us from responsibilities received from on high. The noble character of our calling, and the promise of the presence of GOD and his Holy Spirit, encourages us to fulfill our commission.

By emphasizing the complementary nature of the functions of the prophet, priest, prince and the people, Haggai also shows the necessity of cooperation when carrying out GOD's purposes on earth.

Christ Revealed: Two references to Christ stand out in the book of Haggai. The first is 2:6-9, and explains that what GOD will do in the new temple, one day, will attract the attention of all the nations. After the peoples of the earth rise up, the nations will be led to the temple to find there what they had been seeking: He whom all the nations have desires will present himself there in all his splendor. His presence will made the memory of the glorious temple of Solomon fade and only that of Christ will prevail. Along with the glory of Christ will come a profound peace, because the resplendent Prince of Peach will be there in person.

The second reference to the coming of the Messiah appears in 2:23. The book opens with a mention of Zerubbabel, which links this book, almost at the end of the Old Testament, with the first book of the New Testament: Zerubbabel is one of the people mentioned in the genealogies of Jesus. Two things make his figure relevant and link him with Christ:

Zerubbabel is a sign, a man chosen by GOD, whose gentle nature the LORD has infused with life, leadership and ministry. That which Zerubbabel did on a small scale Jesus did fully as the Servant of GOD.
Zerubbabel is also in the lineage of the Messiah. The list of Jesus' ancestors in Matthew and Luke include the name of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, whose own personal significance was eclipsed by the role that corresponded to him as precursor of the future Savior of the world.

The Holy Spirit in Action: One brief but beautiful reference to the Holy Spirit is found in 2:5. The previous verses show GOD's people to be discouraged, by comparing the temple that they are constructing with the glorious temple of Solomon, which would be replaced by the new edification. The word that the LORD speaks to them is: "Be strong...and work". The motivation to do so is also mentioned: "Because I am with you".

Haggai 2:5 explains how the Spirit of GOD interacts with the spirit of the people to make sure the work is completed. Verse 5 includes the two following aspects:

The Holy Spirit is a vital part of GOD's covenant with his people: "According to the covenant which I made with you".
The Holy Spirit is a permanent gift for GOD's people: "My Spirit will be in the midst of you".
The presence of the Holy Spirit removes the fear in the hearts of the people of GOD. For that reason: "You will not fear".

These principles continue to be the same for GOD's people in our days. In the heart of GOD's covenant with his people is the permanent work of the Holy Spirit, which frees them from fear and enables them to energetically and enthusiastically fulfill the divine commission.