The Book of Haggai – A Commentary
Chapter 1 – The prophet Haggai begins his
prophecy in the second year of King Darius Hystapes which is in the Hebrew month
of Elul,
the sixth month, and the first day of the month. On our calendar today it translates
to August, 19th , 2012. The year then was 520 B.C. and the date was
August 29th. Haggai was a contemporary of the prophet Zechariah (Ezra 5:1).
The
prophet spoke to Zerubbabel the governor, and to Joshua the high priest along with
the Hebrew refugees who returned from Babylon to Jerusalem to rebuild the
temple of the Lord. The work had begun in 536 B.C. but was halted by neighbors
who did not want to see the temple built admittedly because they were afraid Israel's God. These
enemies wrote a letter to King Artaxerxes stating to the king why the building
project should be stopped. The king read the letter and demanded the work to cease.
The Hebrews were forced to stop (Ezra 4:21-24). God’s house was delayed being
finished for sixteen years until Darius gave the decree to finish God’s house
in 520 B.C. (Ezra 6:1-11).
By
this time, the people no doubt had grown insensitive to the urgency and need to
finish God’s house so they decided to build their own. So, they let God’s house
lay in ruins because they said, “The time
has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built” vs 2. It’s at
this point Haggai has to rebuke them and tell them to “consider your ways”, vs 3
He
lets them know because of their unwillingness to obey the Lord, the ground will
not yield it’s crop due to no rain. You will not have your needs met until you
get your priorities in order. Tells them a second time, “consider your ways”, vs 7.
The
people are stirred up by God to complete
the task of building his house which they do beginning on the twenty fourth day
of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, vs 15.
Chapter 2 – The word of the Lord came to
Haggai again in the seventh month, the Hebrew month of Tishri which today would
be October 7th, 2012 on the
Gregorian calendar, but back then was actually October 17th , 520
B.C.
Haggai
asks the question, “who saw the former
temple and it’s glory, and how do you see it now? Vs 3. The new temple was
not as beautiful as the former which caused some to be discouraged. Haggai
encourages the leaders and all the people to build for the Lord is with them,
vs 4.
Haggai
declares that the latter glory will be greater than the former and his peace
will rest upon it, vs.9
The
prophet once again has to remind them of their sin and their need for
repentance. The result of their disobedience was evident in their lack of
provisions they would normally enjoy, vs 10-19. Since the foundation of the
temple was laid, the people were giving offerings with unclean hearts and
defiled hands. This withheld God’s blessing of harvest, wine, rain, etc. However,
God says he will bless them.
The
last message the Lord commands Haggai is to Zerubbabel the governor of Judah.
Zerubbabel is called My servant, and
a signet ring. What that means is Zerubbabel
is given a place of honor and power.
Zerubbabel also was the grandson of the
evil king Jeconiah (or Coniah). He came from a royal blood line. It’s important
to acknowledge that he was direct ancestor of Christ according to the flesh.
The genealogies of Matthew 1:12 and Luke 3:27 prove this point.
God
through Zeruabbabel re-established the Davidic line of kings.
**This concludes the oracles of Haggai the
prophet**
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