Chapter 1-2 + Summary of Haggai
Summary of Haggai:
The book of Haggai is both a narrative History and a prophetic message. The Key personalities are Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Joshua. Haggai was called by God to encourage the people to finish the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. The construction had ceased because of opposition and because the neighboring countries, and the Jews were frightened.
Chapter 1: Haggai exhorts to build a Temple
In the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord comes to Haggai unto Zerubbabel (governor of Jerusalem) and Joshua (the high priest).
The Lord is angered because the people say it is not time for the temple to be finished. The Lord criticizes their words of procrastination and lack of progress. The houses of individuals are in working order, but the house of the Lord is not.
The Lord explains that the people have “…sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:6) Here we can learn a great life lesson, if we work and work with no reward than it is like putting money in pockets with holes, because we will lose the money. We need to be wise and productive with our money… living within your means!
Chapter 2: Peace in his Temple
The Lord speaks to the people and addresses their anxiety that the current temple is far less impressive than Solomon’s. The Lord exhorts them to be strong. Haggai questions the priests and essentially teaches them that a smaller temple is STILL a TEMPLE. A recent drought is seen as a consequence of the people’s refusal to build the temple. However, God sees their change of heart and promises a harvest of blessing to come. The Lord will give peace in His temple!