Introduction:
Haggai is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, known for his role in encouraging the Jewish people to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem after their return from Babylonian exile. His prophetic ministry is recorded in the Book of Haggai, which is the second shortest book in the Old Testament, consisting of only two chapters. Haggai's messages are direct and focused on the immediate need for the restoration of the Temple, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing God's work.

Historical Context:
Haggai's ministry took place during the reign of Darius I of Persia, around 520 BC. This was a pivotal time for the Jewish people, who had returned to Jerusalem following the decree of Cyrus the Great, which allowed them to rebuild the Temple. However, the reconstruction efforts had stalled due to opposition and the people's preoccupation with their own homes and affairs. Haggai's prophecies were instrumental in reigniting the community's commitment to completing the Temple.

Key Themes and Messages:

1. Call to Rebuild the Temple:
Haggai's primary message was a call to action for the people to resume the construction of the Temple. He challenged the people to consider their ways and recognize the futility of their efforts without God's blessing. Haggai 1:4-5 states, "Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Consider carefully your ways.'"

2. Divine Presence and Encouragement:
Haggai assured the people of God's presence and support in their endeavors. He conveyed God's promise that He would be with them as they worked on the Temple. Haggai 1:13 records, "Then Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: 'I am with you,' declares the LORD."

3. Future Glory of the Temple:
Haggai prophesied that the glory of the new Temple would surpass that of the former Temple built by Solomon. This future glory is linked to the coming of the Messiah and the establishment of God's kingdom. Haggai 2:9 declares, "The glory of this latter house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts."

4. Holiness and Obedience:
Haggai emphasized the importance of holiness and obedience to God's commands. He warned that neglecting God's work leads to spiritual and material consequences. Haggai 2:14 states, "So it is with this people and this nation before Me, declares the LORD, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled."

5. Zerubbabel's Role:
Haggai highlighted the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, as a key figure in the rebuilding process. He is portrayed as a signet ring, symbolizing God's chosen leader through whom He would accomplish His purposes. Haggai 2:23 says, "'On that day,' declares the LORD of Hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant,' declares the LORD, 'and I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you,' declares the LORD of Hosts."

Significance:
Haggai's prophecies played a crucial role in motivating the Jewish community to complete the Temple, which was central to their religious and communal life. His messages underscore the importance of prioritizing God's work and trusting in His promises. Haggai's emphasis on the future glory of the Temple points to the coming of Christ and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.Ezra 5:1
Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even to them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 6:14
And the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and ...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 35."Of the Prophecy of the Three Prophets, Haggai,
Zechariah, and Malachi. There remain three minor prophets ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 35 of the prophecy of.htm

"The Prophets of God Helping Them"
... But even this dark hour was not without hope for those whose trust was in God. The
prophets Haggai and Zechariah were raised up to meet the crisis. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 46 the prophets of.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... For this the prophets Haggai and Zechariah were sent to reprove them, while at the
same time they encouraged them to resume the work, a mission which they ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets.
... It gives the order of the Twelve Prophets adopted by the LXX. ... Nahum, Micah, Zephaniah,
Haggai, [5440] I first addressed to Paula and Eustochium, her daughter ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/prefaces to the commentaries on.htm

Of the Prophets, who Either were the Last among the Jews, or whom ...
... But in that whole time after they returned from Babylon, after Malachi, Haggai,
and Zechariah, who then prophesied, and Ezra, they had no prophets down to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the prophets who.htm

Ezra-Nehemiah
... In the light of the very plain statements of the contemporary prophets Haggai and
Zechariah, we are justified in doubting whether, in Ezra 3. the Chronicler ...
/.../mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/ezra-nehemiah.htm

Prophets and Kingsforeword
... and wicked; Hezekiah, the loyal and good-hearted; Daniel, the beloved of God; Jeremiah,
the prophet of sorrow; Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, prophets of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/prophets and kingsforeword.htm

The Shaking of the Heavens and the Earth
... of the first temple, and wept to think how far the second temple would come short
of it (Haggai 2:3) In these circumstances the prophets Haggai and Zechariah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iii the shaking of.htm

That the Jews Ceased to have Prophets after the Rebuilding of the ...
... For this reason, then, that nation had no prophets from that time, but was ... Romans
themselves, lest they should fancy that this prophecy of Haggai was fulfilled ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 45 that the jews ceased.htm

About Esdras and the Books of the Maccabees.
... After these three prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, during the same period
of the liberation of the people from the Babylonian servitude Esdras also ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 36 about esdras and the.htm

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