The book of Haggai is one that we rarely study and may even have some trouble finding in our Bibles. Yet when we do study it we invariably develop an appreciation for the prophet’s messages and also discover its timeliness. Over the next few months we will look at some of the messages God brought […]

Haggai 1:6 Many of God’s people in exile in Babylon had returned to Palestine to rebuild the temple, but opposition to the building caused it to cease. The people began making excuses for their failure to continue building. God sent His prophet Haggai urging them to examine themselves and their attitudes. “Consider your ways,” he […]

Upon the Jews’ cessation of rebuilding the temple, they languished in complacency and indifference. The unfinished temple project was no longer a priority. The very reason for their having come back to Jerusalem was no longer even on their minds. They made no effort to resume the building.               […]

Haggai 1:8 Verse eight is the key verse, the main point, of Haggai’s prophecy. God is telling the people to get wood and build His house, so that He might take pleasure in it and be glorified. They had been procrastinating, and God wants them to resume building. He is saying bluntly: “Get to work. […]

“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you runs to his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. […]

Then Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the whole remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the message of the prophet Haggai…‘I am with you’ declares the Lord. So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel, of Joshua, and of the whole remnant…They came and began to work on the house […]

…Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it,is this not in your eyes as nothing? Yet now be strong…and work; for I am with you, says the Lord of hosts. According to the word that I covenanted with you […]

“So it is with this people and this nation in my sight,” declared the Lord. “Whatever they do and whatever they offer there is defiled.” Haggai 2:14 Haggai’s third message to the people was one of condemnation. They had obeyed God and begun rebuilding the Temple, but their heart was not in it. They were plodding […]

“…I will shake the heavens and tile earth. I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall…” Haggai 2:21–22 Awful, fearful things are going on in the world today. It is enough to make us tremble. We often […]

“‘On that day I will take you, my servant Zerubbabel…and I will make you like my signet ring, for I have chosesn you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:23) God here stresses His care over the ruler of the nation, Zerubbabel, in the midst of international upheavals. God would make him like a “signet ring.” […]