The Prophecy Of (
God’s (
SLIDE 89 The last 3 prophets in our series (Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi) all prophesied in the (
SLIDE 90 VIDEO
The Date
SLIDE 91 Haggai’s prophecy is the easiest to date of all the prophecies we have studied thus far. He began speaking for Jehovah in “the second year of Darius the king, on the first day of the sixth month,…” (1:1). Darius the Great, also known as Darius I or Darius Hystaspes, is not to be confused with Darius the Mede whom Cyrus placed on the throne after he conquered Babylon and who reluctantly threw Daniel into the lion’s’ den (Dan. 6). The Darius of Haggai’s day seized the Persian kingdom following the death of (
The Prophet
Of Haggai’s home, occupation, or family, we know nothing specific. He must have been among the nearly 50,000 Jews who returned home under Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:1-67). Some have inferred from his statement in 2:3 that he had seen the original temple built by Solomon. This would have made him at least 80 years old by the time he began prophesying. Others believe that Haggai was of the priestly descent because of what he says in 2:10-14. However, both of these observations are conjecture and cannot be proven absolutely. All we know about Haggai is what is recorded in Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14-16, and the short book that bears his name.
The Times In (
SLIDE 92 In order to understand the conditions into which God called Haggai, it would be helpful to review the events regarding Judah’s return from captivity as they happened chronologically. The information below depicts the events that eventually led to Haggai’s call to prophesy:
Date
Event
562 B.C.
Death of Nebuchadnezzar; beginning of decline of Babylonian empire.
549 B.C.
Cyrus unites the Medes and Persians into one empire.
539 B.C.
Cyrus seizes control of Babylon; releases all captives back to their homelands.
538 B.C.
Cyrus issues edict for return to Jerusalem (2 Chron. 36:22, Ezra 1:1)
536 B.C
First return led by Zerubbabel and Joshua; initial work on the temple (altar and foundation) began (Ezra 3:8). Opposition from inhabitants of the land, discouragement among the Jews, and the death of Cyrus in 530 B.C. Caused the work to stop for 16 years.
522 B.C.
Darius Hystaspes begins to rule; shows favor to the Jews’ efforts in rebuilding.
520 B.C.
Haggai, Zechariah called to urge the completion of the temple; work on the temple resumes (Ezra 4:24).
The Message
SLIDE 93 In 3 words, it was: (
By inspiration, Haggai links his urging of the temple’s completion to the future glory of the Messiah’s reign in His “house” (2:6-9). This is a reference to the establishment of the New Testament church and reign of Christ, as noted by the quoting and application of Hag. 2:6 by the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 12:26-28). Thus, Haggai takes his place alongside all the other Minor Prophets who uttered Messianic prophecies.
Lessons From Haggai’s Prophecy
SLIDE 94 There are several lessons that can be learned or emphasized by studying what Jehovah spoke through Haggai. Of course, these words were not for us but for the Jews who returned to rebuild Jerusalem in the 6th century B.C. However, since they were written for our learning (Rom. 15:4), they contain many principled lessons we would do well to heed today:
The survival of God’s people always depends upon their willingness to put (OBEDIENT) service to Him before their own (
The problem of the Jews upon their return was not idolatry, but indifference.
God views the ignoring of religious responsibilities very (
He still seeks zealous servants who not only will worship, but who want to worship.
The sin of procrastination is (
When a vital issue is at stake, now is the time to deal with it, even in the face of discouragement or adversity.
The greatest preaching is that filled with a “thus saith the (
Haggai was a plain-spoken preacher and his preaching was successful. Within one month, the prophet stirred the people to action (1:1,15). Such preaching will be successful in stirring honest hearts to action today as well.
SLIDE 95 Outline Of Haggai’s Prophecy
First message: (
The message (1:2-11)
The people’s selfishness and unconcern (2-6)
Their selfishness (2-4)
Their ways and the result: curse (5-6)
The divine displeasure and exhortation to resume the building operation (7-15)
Consider your ways –get busy (7-8)
The visitation from God (9-11)
The response from the people: they build! (12-15)
Second message: (
Jehovah’s presence with the builders (2:1-5)
The temple’s future glory (2:6-9)
Third message: (
The people’s uncleanness a result of their own conduct (2:10-14)
Punishment result of their own uncleanness impressed by 2 questions (10-13)
Communication of holiness by holy objects on contact (10-12)
Communication of legal defilement by contact (13)
Application to Israel –the cause of their uncleanness (14)
Fourth message: (
Overthrow of the nations (2:20-22)
Messianic hope preserved in Zerubbabel (2:23)
SLIDE 96 Group Questions
Have you ever undertaken a task with great zeal for the Lord, only later to lose that zeal and grow apathetic? If so, when?
Which of Haggai’s four admonitions to the leaders and people do you need to hear the most? Why that one?
When, if ever, have you questioned the dependability of God’s Word? How would you help someone who was struggling with this?
What guidelines might be useful in determining whether a person is putting too much money and effort into their own dwelling and comfort?
How does consideration of priorities fit into your budgeting decisions?
Have you ever seen a task that needed doing and felt like saying to God, “send somebody else?” Explain.
Why do you think God’s promise of provision was so important to the Jews? In what way does this promise also comfort you?
Why is it important to address both the material and the spiritual needs of people? How can your church or community treat both of these concerns as important?
What is essential in order to begin, sustain and encourage the work of God?
Questions
- When did Haggai begin to prophesy? (1:1) To whom was his message spoken? (1:1) Why do you think they were initially addressed? (1:14a)
- What was the basic message from the Lord through Haggai? (1:2) What do you make of the statement attributed to the people? Thought question: when is it time to do the Lord’s work?
- With what rhetorical question does Haggai rebuke this slothful attitude in the people? (1:3-4) Thought question: compare the people’s attitude with that of David in 2 Samuel 7:1-2. What is the obvious difference?
- What point do you think is made by how the houses of the people are described in 1:4? What disposition does this reveal in the people? Do we still see evidence of the same thing today? Give examples.
- What does Jehovah ask them to do in 1:5? What do you think this means? What three observations does Jehovah make to illustrate the pitiful conditions that existed in restored Jerusalem? (1:6)
- To solve their dilemma, what does the prophet say the people should do? (1:7-8a) What two reasons (one positive, one negative) does Haggai give that should have been incentive for the people to build the temple? (1:8b-11)
- What was the response to Haggai’s preaching? (1:12-15) In terms of time, how quickly did the people respond to Haggai’s preaching? (1:15, 1:1) What words of encouragement aided the people in this important labor, and what practical lessons can we learn from this? (1:13)
- How long had the restoration work on the temple been laying in ruins?
- When did Haggai’s second message begin? (2:1) What was the time lapse from the first message? What was its basic contents? (2:2-3) Why do you think this question was asked? (Ezra 3:12)
- Hag. 2:6-9 is admittedly difficult, and open to various interpretations. To further remove the people’s discouragement over the “inadequacy” of the restored temple, what did Jehovah promise? (2:6-7) What do you think 2:7 is saying?
- What do you think 2:8 is saying? In what is the fulfillment of these verses to be found: in the literal building of the restored temple, or in the Messianic age and the completion of the Lord’s church? (Hebrews 12:26-28; 1 Corthinians 3:9-17; 1 Peter 2:4-10)
- What will be the result of all that Jehovah will do for His house? (2:9) What will be present “in this place”? What kind of peace do you think is meant? (Isaiah 9:6; Micah 5:5; Ephesians 2:14; Matthew 10:34-39)
- When did Haggai deliver his third message? (2:10) What was its basic contents? (2:11) Why ask the priests? (Lev. 10:8-11; Mal. 2:7)
- What was the first question and answer? (2:12; Lev. 6:27) What was the second question and answer? (2:13; Num. 19:11-13) In what way does the prophet make the application of these answers to the people? (2:14) What do you suppose was their “uncleanness?” (2:14)
- Yet, despite their past, how were things going to work out now? (2:19) Why?
- When did Haggai deliver his final message? (2:20) What was its basic contents? (2:21-23) Do you think it relates to 2:6-9? What is the significance of a “signet?” (2:23) How was all this fulfilled? (Matthew 1:12-16; Luke 1:32-33; 2 Samuel 7:11-16)