Let’s Meet Haggai

Let’s Meet Haggai

Study No. 1 …. …

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The prophet Haggai is another of those so-called ‘minor’ prophets … who delivers a major message ! As a matter of fact he preaches four messages … all dated … and inspired ! And neglected by most Christians today.

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INTRODUCTION

Haggai 1:1 On August 29 of the second year of King Darius's reign, the LORD gave a message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. 2"This is what the LORD Almighty says: The people are saying, `The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD's house--the Temple.' "

(Living Bible Translation )

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(a) THE HISTORICAL SITUATION

It is 520 B.C. That means the Jewish remnant has been back in Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile for sixteen years. And the Temple is still not built ! Opposition from without (the Samaritans !) and discouragement from within caused the building operation to grind to a halt.

So Haggai’s preaching revolves around this fact. He exhorts them to resume the building of God’s Temple!

Zerubbabel , a descendant of King David, had once led the returned exiles in a ceremony in which the foundation stone had been laid … but alas, no further work took place. (Ezra 3:8-10)

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(b) THE DIVINE INSPIRATION

Note … “ This is what the LORD Almighty says …” (1:1, 2:1,10.20.)

In the Book of Hebrews the writer actually quotes Haggai 2:6 and says that God said it , not Haggai !! ( Hebrews 12:26-27)

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(c) THE CRITICAL INTERPRETATION

Liberal theologians claim that Haggai “ was mistaken.” ( e.g. William Neil One Volume Commentary p. 302) In which case Haggai would be a false prophet, uninspired, and not worth studying !

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OUTLINE

Ch. 1:1-15 …. 1/6/ 520 B.C. …. A Message to Convict !

Ch. 2:1-9 ….. 21/7/520 B.C. … A Message to Encourage.

Ch. 2:10-19 … 24/9/520 B.C. …. A Message to Confirm

Ch. 2:20-23 … 24/9/520 B.C. …. A Message to Comfort.

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(1) THE FIRST MESSAGE

Haggai 1: 2"This is what the LORD Almighty says: The people are saying, `The time has not yet come to rebuild the LORD's house--the Temple.' "

3 So the LORD sent this message through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins? 5 This is what the LORD Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! 6 You have planted much but harvested little. You have food to eat, but not enough to fill you up. You have wine to drink, but not enough to satisfy your thirst. You have clothing to wear, but not enough to keep you warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes!

7 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you! 8 Now go up into the hills, bring down timber, and rebuild my house. Then I will take pleasure in it and be honored, says the LORD. 9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD Almighty, while you are all busy building your own fine houses. 10 That is why the heavens have withheld the dew and the earth has withheld its crops. 11 I have called for a drought on your fields and hills--a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olives and all your other crops, a drought to starve both you and your cattle and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get."

12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God's people obeyed the message from the LORD their God. It had been delivered by the prophet Haggai, whom the LORD their God had sent, and the people worshiped the LORD in earnest. 13 Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave the people this message from the LORD: "I am with you, says the LORD!" 14 So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God's people. They came and began their work on the house of the LORD Almighty, their God. 15 This was on September 21^[c] of the second year of King Darius's reign.

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(a) A Lesson in Prorities

4 "Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?

These Jews had built their own houses … and decorated them ! ( 1:4) but God’s house was desolate!

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(b) A Lesson in Progress

Like these Jewish builders, some Christians get the foundation laid and then fail to build upon it. The Apostle tells us that Christ is the foundation of our Christian life … but then we need to build according to His plan for our lives.(1 Corinthians 3:11-15)

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(c) A Lesson in Prosperity

God was not going to bless His people whilst this situation continued.

9 You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the LORD Almighty, while you are all busy building your own fine houses. 10 That is why the heavens have withheld the dew and the earth has withheld its crops. 11 I have called for a drought on your fields and hills--a drought to wither the grain and grapes and olives and all your other crops, a drought to starve both you and your cattle and to ruin everything you have worked so hard to get."

Such plagues and drought were even a fulfilment of His word through Moses … Deuteronomy 28:15)

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(d) A Lesson in Piety

Ezra 5:2 speaks of Haggai and fellow prophet, Zechariah, not just preaching but helping in the rebuilding of the Temple!

I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day,

I’d rather one would walk with me than merely point the way;

The eye’s a better pupil, much more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing but example’s always clear.

The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds …

To see good put in action is what everybody needs.

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(e) A Lesson in Prophecy !

“The time is not yet come …” they said. ( 1:2) Jeremiah had said the exile would be for 70 years ( Jer. 25:11) … and it was only 66 years since these Jews had been carried off into captivity by the Babylonians !

But dated from the first Babylonian attack on Judah ( they attacked three times ! 606 B.C. 597 B.C. & 586 B.C. )) it was 70 years when they had returned 16 years ago !! ( 536 B.C.)

Miscalculations in the field of Bible Prophecy still leads to foolish activity on the part of those who indulge therein !!

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(2) THE SECOND MESSAGE

This second message is given to encourage the builders, especially the aged men who recall seeing the magnificence of Solomon’s Temple ( destroyed by the Babylonians ) and who see this new temple as a barn (!) by comparison. ( 2:3) Haggai assures them that THIS temple will even be more glorious than Solomon’s !!

Haggai 2: 1Then on October 17 of that same year, the LORD sent another message through the prophet Haggai. 2 "Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God's people there in the land: 3 Is there anyone who can remember this house--the Temple--as it was before? In comparison, how does it look to you now? It must seem like nothing at all! 4 But now take courage, Zerubbabel, says the LORD. Take courage, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Take courage, all you people still left in the land, says the LORD. Take courage and work, for I am with you, says the LORD Almighty. 5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.

6 "For this is what the LORD Almighty says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth. I will shake the oceans and the dry land, too. 7 I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come to this Temple. I will fill this place with glory, says the LORD Almighty. 8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD Almighty. 9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD Almighty. And in this place I will bring peace. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!"

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(a) God’s promise in the Past. ( 2:1-5) 2:5 My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.

He told them that His blessing would rest upon them if they obeyed Him. ( Deuteronomy 28:1-14)

(b) God’s Presence in the Present ! 2:5 My Spirit remains among you …

And as Haggai’s contemporary said , “ It is not by might nor by power , but by God’s Spirit “ things are accomplished for Him ! ( Zechariah 4:6)

(c ) God’s Prophecy for the Future !! (2:6-9)

It is important to note that Hebrews 12: 26 quotes these verses and applies them to our the first advent of our Lord Jesus ! It is a Messianic prophecy ! This has been taught by Jews and Christians alike down through history. ( See Prof. G.A. Smith The 12 Prophets p. 243) The King James Version translates vs. 7 …

2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hymn writers have referred to this verse ….

Come, Desire of nations, come,
Fix in us Thy humble home;
(C.Wesley)

Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;…………
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart. ( C.Wesley )

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
( Unknown 12^th Cent. )

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Matthew Henry writes in his great commentary …

He shall come as the desire of all nations--desirable to all nations, for in him shall all the families of the earth be blessed with the best of blessings--long expected and desired by the good people in all nations, that had any intelligence from the Old-Testament predictions concerning him …... All the nations that are brought in to Christ, and discipled in his name, have called him, and will call him, all their salvation and all their desire.

However most modern translations and recent commentators would agree with Adam Clarke … the reference is more to Christ bringing Gentiles into His spiritual Temple, the church.

2:7I will shake all the nations, and the treasures of all the nations will come to this Temple. ( Living Bible)

Adam Clarke writes …

The whole seems to be a metaphorical description of the Church of Christ, and of his filling it with all the excellences of the Gentile world, ….

The reference to “ silver and gold” ( 2:8) may refer to the beautifying of this temple by Herod the Great 500 years later … and, in a spiritual sense , the Lord “ gathering up His jewels, His loved and His own.” Both … Herod’s Temple (which was a reconstruction of this one,) and the Lord’s spiritual Temple far outshone in ‘glory’ even that built during Solomon’s reign. ( 2:

2:9 The future glory of this Temple will be greater than its past glory, says the LORD Almighty.

This second message was a word of encouragement to the Jews rebuilding this second Temple.

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(3) THE THIRD MESSAGE

Haggai 2:10 On December 18^] of the second year of King Darius's reign, the LORD sent this message to the prophet Haggai: 11 "This is what the LORD Almighty says! Ask the priests this question about the law: 12 If one of you is carrying a holy sacrifice in his robes and happens to brush against some bread or stew, wine or oil, or any other kind of food, will it also become holy?" The priests replied, "No."

13 Then Haggai asked, "But if someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then brushes against any of the things mentioned, will it be defiled?" And the priests answered, "Yes."

14 Then Haggai said, "That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the LORD. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled. 15 So think about this from now on--consider how things were going for you before you began to lay the foundation of the LORD's Temple. 16 When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty. 17 I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy all the produce of your labour. Yet, even so, you refused to return to me, says the LORD.

18 "On this eighteenth day of December--the day when the foundation of the LORD's Temple was laid--carefully consider this: 19 I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn, before you have harvested your grain and before the grapevine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have produced their crops. From this day onward I will bless you."

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(a) Beware of Presumption ! Do not presume that the Lord will bless a disobedient life . Just as an unclean object ( according to the Jewish law ) contaminates whatever it touches ( 2:13) , so disobedient Israel ( by not rebuilding the Temple ) had brought God’s punishment upon themselves. ( 2:14-17) But now … now they have hearkened to the prophet and are obedient again and are rebuilding God’s House, He will bless them. ( 2:19)

(b) Beware of Prophetic preachers !! Some see verse 18 as a prophecy of “the very day” God would deliver Jerusalem from the Turks in 1917 !! (As Birds Flying by J.Stears. p. 8-9) Such twisting of the text and ignoring of the context leaves on dumbfounded !

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(4) THE FOURTH MESSAGE ( 2:20-23)

Given on the same day as the previous sermon , this is a personal word for Zerubbabel, Governor of the Jews, and one who might find himself in trouble ( again !) from Samaritans and maybe the Persian authorities. So it is a word of comfort … God will watch over and protect him !

Haggai 2:20 The LORD sent this second message to Haggai on December 18: 21 "Tell Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overthrow royal thrones, destroying the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and charioteers. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other. 23 But when this happens, says the LORD Almighty, I will honor you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant. I will treat you like a signet ring on my finger, says the LORD, for I have specially chosen you. I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!"

There did follow “convulsions in the Persian empire” (I.V.F. Comm p. 747) but the work on the Temple went ahead uninterrupted until its completion four years later (Ezra 6:15) and Zerubbabel was kept secure in God’s good hand. He is compared to a signet ring (2:23) … a king’s prized possession and a symbol of his authority. And many a commentator sees Zerubbabel as a type of the Lord Jesus … * Of the Tribe of Judah , * of the Family of David , * builder of God’s House, * victor over of God’s enemies, * ‘specially chosen’ by God the Father to be Leader of His people.

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The Teacher’s Commentary issued by the Student Christian Movement press says “There is little of real spiritual teaching for us in Haggai’s addresses.” (p. 227) Ha ! What do you think ???

“ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable … !!” 2 Timothy 3:16)

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