Haggai 1-2. The prophet Haggai is the tenth Minor Prophet but the first post-captivity prophet, followed by Zachariah & Malachi.

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1 Haggai 1-2 The prophet Haggai is tenth Minor Prophet but first post-captivity prophet, followed by Zachariah & Malachi. There are three post-captivity historical books which will complement as well as supplement this period; Ezra, Nehemiah & Esr. The book of Daniel will also shed some light since he prophesied at Babylon through Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Cyrus & Darius Medo-Persian kings. But in particular book of Ezra for Haggai s prophesies fit into chapter 5 of Ezra. I. Haggai prophet -All that we know about Haggai is what we find in his book. 1:1 -He prophesied in second year of King Darius in sixth month on first day of month, Sept. 1, 520 b.c. -Darius reigned from b.c. -The prophesy was to Zerubabbel, son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah & Joshua high priest. 1:1, 2:2 -Haggai is mentioned also in Ezra 5:1, 6:14. -Zachariah also mentions being Haggai s contemporary & he began to prophesy Nov. of 520 b.c., two months after Haggai. Zach 1:1 -Haggai may have been born in exile but he could have been very young having seen previous temple? 2:3 -His name means festive or feast perhaps he was born on one of National Feasts? But certainly it is no coincidence that he prophesied from Sept.-Dec. during some major feast. -No longer dated by Jewish king but Gentile king, for time of Gentiles had begun. (Nebuchadnezzar s image Dan 3, Lk 21:24) II. Haggai s times -The first Jewish remnant from Babylon had returned at Cyrus decree in 538 b.c., according to prophesies of Jeremiah. Jer 25:12, 29:10, Ezra 1:1 -Sheshbazzar & Zerubabbel returned first captive numbering 49,897 in 537 b.c. Ezra 1:11, 2:2, They returned with purpose of restoring national life of Jerusalem which centered on temple & sacrifice and worship. Ezra 1:5-10 -The alter, sacrifice & Feast of Tabernacles was celebrated in 7th month. Ezra 3:1-7 -Two years after ir coming y appointed

2 Levites, foundation of temple was finished & worship was expressed. Ezra 3:8-13 -The Samaritans came & wanted to participate in building but y were not allowed because of ir impure genealogy and became adversaries to building as well as making false accusations to king in Persia. Ezra 4 -The work had ceased for 16 years and people had become indifferent, complacent & materialistic, so God called Haggai & Zachariah to stir up nest by rebuke, exhortation & promise. Ezra 5:1, Hag 1:1 -Tradition says Haggai, Zachariah & Malachi were founders of The Great Synagogue garing of scholars to preserve word of God from Ezra s time. III. Haggai s message A. His prophesy contains four messages delivered within four months. (Sept-Dec. 520 b.c.) -1:1, 2:1, 10, 20 -initiated & proclaimed a period of Divine transition. 2:15-19 B. His message is two-fold. 1.The stern rebuke to people. ch 1 a.for indifference & complacency regarding building of Lord s house. 1:2 b.for being overly concerned & absorbed in ir own expensive homes while God s house was in ruins. 1:4 c.for not glorifying God. 1:8 2.The sound exhortation. ch 2 a.they are not to compare present work of God with past lest y hinder it. 2:3, 9 b.they were to be holy & receive God s blessing. 2:14, 19 c.zerubabbel would be used not only in foundation of temple but in future. 2:23, Zach 4:9-14 C. Key verses 1:8 God s delight to take pleasure in His work and be glorified through us. (1:4, 14 condition before & after) -26x s in 38 verses is phrase thus says Lord. -There is Messianic promise. 2:7-9 D. The permanent message. 1.People often neglect work of God. 1:4 2.People are called to an appointed task to please and glorify God. 1:8 3.A self-centered life produces very little. 1:6

3 blessing. IV. 4.A God-centered life promises God s 2:19-1:13 I am with you -2:4 Be strong, I am with you. -2:5 My Spirit remains among you; do not fear. Haggai s division I. God rebukes His people for ir spiritual compromise. Ch. 1 II. God exhorts His people in ir spiritual commitment. Ch. 2 1:1 Intro -Date- Sept. 1, 520 b.c., Darius Hystaspes b.c. -No longer by Jewish king for Time of Gentiles had begun with Babylon. Dan 2, Lk 21:24 -Cyrus had decreed first return in 538 b.c. fulfilling prophesy. Jer 25:12, Ezra 1:1 -word of Lord- revelation of God. 1)Haggai spoke to Zerubabbel -governor appointed by Cyrus. Ezra 5:14 -means born in Babylon. -Descendant of David through King Jehoiakim. 1 Chron 3:17-18, 16:3-17, 2 Kings 24:8-16 2)Joshua High Priest -means Jehovah salvation. 1 Chron 6:15 1:2-11 God s rebuke to people 1:2 God quotes what people were saying about being involved in God s work. 1)The people had become indifferent & complacent about spiritual things. -Artaxerxes ceased work of Cyrus decree by false accusations of Samaritans but it really didn t prohibit building of temple only city. Ezra 4:21 2)The people were waiting for a more convenient time. *Everyone is to be involved in Lord s work, convenient time is now. *Lord of Host is speaker, captain of armies of heaven. 1:3-4 God exposes people s motives & selfcentered comfort rar than concern for spiritual life. -Some neglect church until ir children are grown. -Some neglect church until y get a home. -Some neglect church until y get out of

4 debt. Notice that Samaritans didn t bor m as y built ir own houses. *Solomon spent seven years in building Lord s house but thirteen years building his own house. 1 Kings 6:38, 7:1 1)They lack purpose of heart. Dan 1:8 2)Their comfort became ir condemnation. -paneled- extravagance & luxury. Jer 22:14 1:5 Consider your ways- 1:5, 2, 2:18 -Literally, set your heart on your ways. -A call to self-examination of motives & deeds. -Jer 25:11, Zach 1:12 70 years were up. 1:6 God withheld abundance & prosperity but y hadn t seen relationship between ir lack & disobedience to God. -Amos 4:6-13, Hos 4:10, Mic 6:14, used by God as discipline & to turn m.. Lev 26:26 -Joel 2:19, Mal 3:10 deal with obedience & prosperity. 1:7 2nd time to consider 1:8 The command: 1)Proclamation- go 2)Purpose- that I may take pleasure in it ( work) & be glorified. *Temple was center of national life. 1:9-11 God now plainly states meager provisions are due to Him because y have neglected His house. -Vs Deut 28:23 1:12-15 The people s response to God 1:12 Zerubabbel, Joshua & remnant obeyed God. 1)The acknowledged it was God s voice. 2)They acknowledged Haggai was God s vessel sent by Him and didn t confuse two. 3)They acknowledged God by fearing His presence. Prov 1:7, 9:10 1:13 The exhortation to assure people I am with you says Lord -one of shortest messages of Bible, only 7 words in English, 4 in Hebrew. -Remember Jonah s message to Ninevah, only 8 words in English, 5 in Hebrew. 1:14 The enablement for work.

5 31 -God stirred up spirit of all to enable m to do work. -He enabled those for Tabernacle. Ex -He enabled Solomon to rule. 1 Kings 3 1:15 23 days passed & people responded 2:1-9 God s exhortation to people to not compare His past work with His present work. 2:1 2nd message, Oct. 21, 520 b.c. -During Feast of Tabernacles, of Oct. -A time of rejoicing, regaring of harvest *Jesus in John 7, If any man thirst... 2:2-3 God didn t want those who had seen Solomon s temple to put a damper on those who were rejoicing over foundation laid. Ezra 3:8-13 -Too often old wine skins live in past and despise new work God is wanting to do. *What God is doing today is superior to past because it is present reality which points me to future work. Zach 4:8-10 2:4-5 God tells m to be strong and trust in Him. 1)Be strong- Josh 1:8, Neh 8:10g, Zach 4:6 2)I am with you (Lord of Hosts) *according to covenant of Moses 3)My Spirit remains among you, do not fear. 2:6-9 God s future & greater work 2:6 1)Jesus came first time in inferior glory having divested Himself of His glory & was rejected. Phil 2 2)Jesus will return in great glory with His angels & church to set up Kingdom. *Desire of all nations a) Some take it to mean wealth & resource of nations. b)ors take it to mean Messiah. *Messiah is Jewish accepted interpretation & most common. 2:8-9 God owns all wealth; to Him it s no problem. 1)The glory of latter temple, one in Millennial reign will excel former, Solomon s & Herods which was based on Zerubabbel s, or one in Tribulation. Ezk )In this place Jerusalem God will give peace.

6 2:10-14 God instructs His people in holiness 2:10 Dec. 24, 520 b.c., 3rd message -3 months, 24 days after 1st message 1:1-2 months, 23 days after 2nd message 2:1 2:11-13 Law of holiness & ceremonial purity. Lev 22:9-6, Num 19: Two questions 1)Will something defiled become holy if it touches clean & holy? No! Vs-12 2)Will something defiled make something clean & holy defiled? Yes! Vs-13 2:14 The application -So is prophet & nation, y have become defiled & need cleansing for God to accept ir work & service. *The principle of God s government is holiness! 2:20 4th message, Dec. 24, 520 b.c. 2: )The fall of Persia-Rome. 2)The final ten nation confederacy of Anti-Christ. Rev :23 In that day- 1)He would be My servant. -Two witnesses usually are proposed to be Enoch-Elijah, Elijah-Moses, but God promises Zerubabbel will have a work in last day. -He could be anor possibility! 2)Make you a signet ring. -sign of sonship, ownership -sign of authority. -sign of honor. *Zerubabbel is found in both genealogies of Jesus. Matt 1:12, Lk 3:27 2:15-19 God instructs His people that He was starting a new work & period. 2:15-17 Consider lack of blessing prior to foundation of temple. 2:18-19 Consider greater blessing after foundation of temple. 2:20-23 God s future promise to Zerubabbel