Introduction to Haggai

Author:

     The author of the book is the prophet Haggai (Hag 1:1; 2:1). His name in Hebrew (חַגָּי Chaggay) means festal. Because of a comment in Haggai 2:2-3, many scholars believe Haggai was an older man, perhaps near age 70, who saw and remembered the first temple before it was destroyed in 586 B.C.

Audience:

     Haggai spoke “to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest” (Hag 1:1), “to the remnant of the people” (Hag 2:2), to “the priests” (Hag 2:11), and finally “to Zerubbabel governor of Judah” alone (Hag 2:21).

Date of Ministry:

     Haggai was a post-exile prophet who ministered at the same time as Ezra and Zechariah (Ezra 4:5, 24; Zec 1:1). He received his divine revelation “In the second year of Darius the king” (Hag 1:1). Darius I was king of Persia, who reigned from 522-486 B.C. The book of Haggai consists of four messages that were preached over a four-month period (Hag 1:1; 2:1, 10, 20), from “the first day of the sixth month” (Hag 1:1), to “the twenty-fourth of the ninth month” (Hag 2:10). The date range was between August 29th through December 18th, 520 B.C., with two messages delivered on the same day (Hag 2:10, 20). All four of Haggai’s messages were necessary to keep the work of the temple going. 

Historical Background:

• 605 B.C. – First Jewish deportation into Babylon (Daniel).
• 597 B.C. – Second Jewish deportation into Babylon (Ezekiel).
• 586 B.C. – Third Jewish deportation into Babylon (Solomon’s temple destroyed).
• 538 B.C. – Israelites return to land under decree of Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-4).
• 536 B.C. – Israelites start rebuilding temple (Ezra 3:8).
• 536 B.C. – Temple reconstruction stops because of opposition (Ezra 4:1-5, 24).
• 520 B.C. – God calls Israelites to finish rebuilding the temple (Hag 1:14-15).
• 516 B.C. – Temple reconstruction finished (Ezra 6:15).

     Most of the Jews living in Judah went into Babylonian captivity when Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C. Without a temple and altar, the Israelites could not worship God as the Mosaic Law prescribed. It was during this time of Babylonian captivity that synagogues were formed, likely to fellowship, read the Law, and pray. We know Daniel prayed facing Jerusalem (Dan 6:10). After the fall of Babylon, the Medo-Persian empire came to power, and Cyrus, King of Persia, was favorable to the Jews and permitted nearly 50,00 exiles to return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C. (Ezra 1:1-4; Isa 44:28). At that time, they’d begun reconstruction of the second temple by building the altar and laying the foundation [Ezra 3:1-13]; however, the reconstruction stopped because of local opposition from the Samaritans who discouraged them (Ezra 4:1-5, 24; 5:16). This pause in construction lasted 16 years, during which time, the Israelites began to build their own homes (Hag 1:2-4). Apparently, the people became apathetic concerning temple reconstruction, so the Lord raised up Haggai and Zechariah to reignite the fire of doing the Lord’s work. Their preaching proved successful.

Haggai’s Message:

     Five times Haggai called his fellow Israelites to “consider” their ways (Hag 1:5, 7; 2:15, 18). This consideration helped them look at their lives from the divine perspective and realize they were not being blessed because of their disobedience to God’s will; specifically, their neglect of rebuilding the temple (Hag 1:5-11). Their judgments were consistent with the curses of Deuteronomy 28. God revealed there was a connection between His house and their lives, both of which were in ruin and need of repair. Haggai (and Zechariah) was called by God to encourage his fellow Israelites to restart temple construction in 520 B.C., and it worked (Hag 1:13-14; 2:4; cf. Ezra 5:1-2; 6:14). The message of encouragement motivated them to overcome their fears and work on the temple, which was completed around 516 B.C. (Ezra 6:15).

Outline:

1. God rebuked and redirected Israel to finish rebuilding the temple (Hag 1:1-15).
2. God encouraged Israel to rebuild the temple, with a promise of future glory (Hag 2:1-9).
3. God promised blessing on Israel (Hag 2:10-19).
4. God promised to protect and bless Zerubbabel (Hag 2:20-23).