The Israelites rebuilt the temple after their return from the Babylonian captivity. Haggai prophesied during the period when the work of rebuilding the temple was going on (Ezra 6:14).
(2) All the prophecies of Haggai were given during the second year of the reign of King Darius. Historically, this year was 520 B.C. As we know, the Babylonians destroyed the temple of Jerusalem and took away the Jews as captive. But as God had foretold, Cyrus of Persia defeated the Babylonians in 539 B.C, and allowed the Jews to return to their own country by issuing a decree in 538 B.C. On return, the Jews attempted to build the temple again. But soon they ran into opposition, and hence the building of the temple could not be continued for another 16 years (Ezra 1 – Ezra 4). During this period the Israelites became indolent and unconcerned about the building of the temple. Haggai appeals to them to give up this inertia and begin the work. Aided by Haggai’s rebukes, the temple work began and by the sixth year of the reign of King Darius, that is 515 B.C, the temple was completely rebuilt (Ezra 6:15). Thus, Haggai was used by God in the building of the Second Jerusalem temple.
(3) Haggai also holds another special privilege. His first prophecy was given in the first day of the sixth month of the second year of Darius, that is, in the sixth month of 520 B.C. Therefore, Haggai gets the privilege of being the first post-exilic prophet. Zechariah’s prophetic journey began in the eight month of the same year (Zechariah 1:1). But while Zechariah continued to prophesy for a longer period of time, Haggai prophesied only for four months. Haggai’s last prophecy was given to him in the eight month of the very same year (Haggai 2:10). Let us discuss Haggai’s prophecies in detail.
(4) Chapter 1: Verse 1: As mentioned earlier, the second year of the reign of Darius was 520 B.C. It was then that God gave this prophecy to Haggai, to be proclaimed to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah and to Joshua, the high priest. Zerubbabel was the son of Shealtiel and the grandson of King Jehoiachin (1 Chronicles 3:17). This prophecy was given on the first day of the Jewish month of Elul (sixth month). All the months of the Jews began on the new moon day. It was usually a day of festivities for them. (Numbers 28:11-15, Isaiah 1:14). Therefore, many must have gathered in Jerusalem on the first day of the Elul month of 520 B.C, not knowing that their first prophet since their return from Babylon was about to be revealed that day.
(5) Verse 2: God gave this prophecy because Jews had been saying that the right time had not come for the rebuilding of the temple. The temple work had been abandoned for quite some time due to opposition (Ezra 3:8-13, 4:1-5, 24). Perhaps, the Jews discouraged by the opposition, reasoned among themselves that the ‘time has not come’ to rebuild the temple. Even we, when faced with obstacles in any of our spiritual works, prefer to think that the ‘time has not come’ for it and postpone it. It is not right in the sight of God. It is God’s will that we should fight against the obstacles for the sake of His work. As said by Christ, this is the ‘time’ for us to be known as blessed by suffering for him and by being persecuted for the sake of righteousness (Matthew 5:10, 11). It is not the time for discouragement and procrastination. That obstacles will come should be no surprise to those who have read Peter’s warning (1 Peter 4:12). Since the Jews got discouraged and postponed the temple work, God was annoyed with them.
(6) Verses 3-5: When King Cyrus released the Jews from captivity, he had given them money. (Ezra 3:7). During the 16 years, the Jews had used up that money to construct ‘panelled houses’ for themselves, remaining unconcerned about the ruined state of the temple of God. God asks them to consider carefully and justify how it was ‘time’ to construct their own houses when it was not the time to build the house of God. Most often, we too spend most of our money and time on our own worldly purposes. This is wrong (Philippians 2:21). Like David, the Israelites should have first and foremost thought about constructing a temple grander than their own houses (2 Samuel 7:2).
(7) Verses 6-7: Since they kept God’s work waiting, they didn’t get blessed. They sowed much but harvested little. Food, drink and clothing couldn’t satisfy their needs. All their earnings disappeared as though through a hole in their pockets. If we too choose to forget God, and go the worldly way, we too can never have contentment. Instead, if we were to invest the time and energy we put in our worldly endeavours into God’s work, we would be harvesting everlasting rewards. So instead of investing in worldly pursuits like in buying a house, land or jewellery we need to invest in getting a good name from God. Since the Israelites weren’t like that, God asks them to consider their ways.
(8) Verses: 8-11: God instructs them to bring wood and begin the construction immediately. Solomon bought expensive wood for his temple, but now the Jews were not in a position to do so. But God says that he was willing to be pleased with a temple constructed with inexpensive wood, even if the wood was from the local mountains. This teaches us not to give up doing things for God just because we can’t do something great or grand for Him. God honours whatever little we can do for Him, if that is the best we can do at that particular juncture (Mark 12:42,43). God caused drought upon the country because the Israelites preferred being busy building their own houses rather than building a house of God. They had to endure a bad harvest for it didn’t rain. God’s anger was even upon the grains and oil. We can be sure that His anger will descend on us if we do not do His will.
(9) Verses 12-13: Zerubbabel, Joshua and the others who had gathered there to hear the prophecy, decided to obey God. They feared His judgement. They certainly would have pondered over the obstacles involved in resuming the construction of the temple since many powerful forces were opposed to it. So God informs them through Haggai that they didn’t need to fear the forces opposing them for He was going to be with them. We too must keep in mind how mighty our God is when we encounter obstacles while doing His work.. All things are possible with Him, and so let us be bold.
(10) Verses 14-15: God filled the people, their leader Zerubbabel, and the high priest Joshua with His Holy Spirit and helped them to begin the work on the temple. Within just 23 days of receiving the prophecy from Haggai, the work of the temple began. God kept His promise, and gave them the necessary strength by filling them with the Holy Spirit. In fact, He did more than that. When we read the book of Ezra, we see that there were no obstacles this time because God made the Persian king himself issue a decree for the construction to go on without obstruction (Ezra 5 – Ezra 6). If we surrender ourselves to the will of God completely, he will give us the necessary strength and create the necessary opportunities. Even if we have travelled the wrong path, like the Jews did in this context, once we heed to God’s reprimand and repent, he will embrace us wholly, and strengthen us to continue in our spiritual journey.
(11) Chapter 2: Verses 1-2: Haggai’s second prophecy was given during the 21st day of the next month which is Tishri (the seventh month). Tishri month is a period of festivities for the Jews. The 21st day would have been the last day of the feast of Tabernacles which they celebrated annually (Leviticus 23:34). Again, lots of people must have been gathered in Jerusalem.
(12) Verses 3-5: Among those who gathered in Jerusalem for the festivities would have been some Jews who had seen Solomon’s temple before its destruction by the Babylonians in 587 B.C. Solomon’s temple was an exceptionally skilled structure and marvellous to behold. But the temple that was being built now was being made of cheap local wood. Those who had seen Solomon’s temple ridiculed this temple saying that this temple was ‘nothing’ compared to the older one. God saw this and encouraged Zerubbabel and the others to be ‘strong’ and continue their work without interruption. As per the covenant He made with the Israelites during their journey from Egypt, God says that His Holy Spirit would be with them and strengthen them. Sometimes, we might also find ourselves discouraged in a similar manner. Some may compare our spiritual works or knowledge with that of others and ridicule us. We need not be discouraged, for God will certainly glorify us for our effort.
(13) Verses 6-9: These verses speak about the time when the voice of God shook the earth as the Israelites left Egypt (Hebrews 12:26). God proclaims that He would shake the heavens, the world and all the nations in it again in a short while. When was this shaking to begin? God says in Haggai that this was to happen when the one beloved of all races would come. We know who that is – Jesus Christ. The first step to this shaking began with the first advent, and it is not yet complete. At the end of this shaking only that which is permanent (the church) will remain says Paul (Hebrews 12:27). It was true that Solomon’s temple was magnanimous. But greater glory was destined for the temple built by Zerubbabel, informs God. How come? Is it true? Yes! Jesus preached in this second temple that Zerubbabel built. How great is this glory! Even though there was no gold or silver in the temple, God recognized everything as His and therefore didn’t want them to worry about it. Since it was to be the temple where the one beloved by everyone, the Messiah was to come, this temple was definitely more glorified than the one built by Solomon, says God. He also says that He would grant peace in this temple. How is this possible? We know that only when Christ gave up his life for mankind, the enmity between man and God due to sin disappeared and peace was made. As a symbol of this peace between God and man, it was in this very same temple built by Zerubbabel and his men with cheap wood that the curtain that prevented access to the Most Holy Place was torn apart (Mark 15: 37,38). Truly, God granted peace in this temple just as He had made known through Haggai’s prophecy centuries before. How greatly has God glorified the temple that was built by Zerubbabel and his people who repented of their misdeeds! Similarly, if we humble ourselves to the will of God, He will honour us greatly.
(14) Verses 10-19: Haggai received the next prophecy on the 24th day of the ninth month (Kislev) of the same year (520 B.C). Touching meat that is holy doesn’t make one holy, but touching something that is defiled makes one defiled. The point being driven here by God is that according to the Law, holiness is not easily infectious but uncleanness is. Even though the Jews began the construction of the temple, which was a holy work they were not yet blessed. The punishments for their past covenant faithlessness was still being carried out. Moreover, it seems like there were some who were still defiled by probably still living in sin, (Verse 14) and hence their service was unacceptable to God. Holiness is something one acquires by doing God’s holy works, but it is possible to easily defile even such holy works if we are unrepentantly sinning at simultaneously. Some of these Jews could have thought that since they were constructing the temple, a holy work, their sins would not be counted. But to do a Holy work, i.e. God’s work, one needs to be justified in the first place and in their case, it had to be within the confines of the justifying range of the Law covenant. Since they were not justified, their misfortunes continued on despite the fact that they had started constructing the temple again. Therefore, the figs and the vine did not bear fruit. But God says that from that day on he would bless them. He explains to them that to deserve the oncoming blessings, they were expected to start living in accordance with His standards. Even we have to be doing the rights things in the eyes of God to be blessed spiritually.
(15) Verses 20-24: On the same day, God gave Haggai another prophecy regarding Zerubbabel. God reveals everything that he was going to do. First, He says that He was going to shake the heavens and the earth. Then, He says he would destroy the kingdoms, the kings, the warriors and their chariots. Each man would be killed by his own brother. God is clearly talking about the end times when he would put an end to the Second World (See Zechariah 14). The shaking that began with the first advent of Christ would ultimately result in the establishment of God’s Kingdom. Indeed, God would make all this to happen in a short while. When all of these get done or get fulfilled, the kingdom of God would have come. That is the day of salvation for the people of this world. That is the beginning of the millennium when Christ would rule the world. God says that he would resurrect Zerubbabel and give him an important position (‘signet ring’) in that kingdom. As we know, the resurrected believers of the Old Testament period would govern mankind in Christ’s thousand year kingdom. Zerubbabel would be one of them and would be in an important position, says God. He would be given this privilege because he had spearheaded the construction of the Second Jerusalem temple.
(16) We learn from the book of Haggai that if we give primary importance to God’s work and do His will, then He would surely honour us. If we trust God and do His work, then whatever the obstacle, God remains with us, strengthens us and glorifies us. Let us offer thanks to God.