THE BOOK of HAGGAI

Haggai, whose name means “Festive,” was one of the postexilic prophets, a contemporary of Zechariah. Haggai had the qualities of a good pastor. An encourager whose word was in tune with the hearts of the people and the mind of God, he was the Lord’s messenger with the Lord’s message, bringing to his discouraged band the assurance of God’s presence.

Haggai 2:1 - During the seventh month three major feast days were celebrated: Feast of Trumpets on the first day, the Day of Atonement on the tenth day, and the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) on the fifteenth day (Lev. 23:23-36).

Haggai 2:3 - Temple in its former glory refers to Solomon’s temple. Some of the elderly had been children at the time of Jerusalem’s fall.  Solomon’s temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 b.c., some sixty-six years previously.

A brief but beautiful reference to the Holy Spirit is found in 2:5. The previous verses show the people of God discouraged as they compare the temple they are now building with the glorious temple of Solomon, which the new temple is meant to replace. The word of the Lord to them is: “Be strong. . .and work.” The motivation to do this is also stated: “For I am with you.”

Haggai 2:5  then explains how the Spirit of God is meant to interact with the spirit of the people in order to get the work accomplished. Verse 5 includes these significant points:

1. The Holy Spirit is a vital part of God’s covenant with His people, “according to the word that I covenanted with you.”

2. The Holy Spirit is an abiding gift to the people of God: “My Spirit remains among you.”

3. The presence of the Holy Spirit removes fear from the hearts of God’s people. Therefore, “Do not fear!”

Haggai issues a clear call to his own people and to us that we should set ourselves to the task assigned to us by God. We should not allow difficulties, enemies, or selfish pursuits to turn us aside from our divinely given responsibilities. The noble nature of our calling and the promised presence of God and His Holy Spirit encourage us to fulfill our commission.

The same Spirit of God who launched Israel into existence as His people continues to be with them. The One who provided special protection in their past offers identical protection for their present and future. Similarly, the same Spirit of God who launched the church into existence as His people continues to be with them. The One who provided special empowerment for the church’s past offers identical empowerment today and tomorrow.

These principles remain the same for the people of God today. At the heart of God’s covenant with His people is the constant operation of the Holy Spirit, working to release them from fear, so that they may move boldly in fulfilling the divine commission.

Haggai 2:6 - "It is a little while" denotes how identifiable the event is for God; thus, how certain it is. This shaking is referred to in Heb. 12:26–28, and God’s kingdom is identified as the one thing that cannot be shaken.

Haggai 2:7 - I will shake all nations is God’s final dealing with evil just before the world to come. Desire of All Nations: This may be messianic, but it also may be interpreted “the desired/wealth of all nations will come,” referring to an influx of people or treasures as was prophesied in Is. 60:5, 9–11. I will fill this temple with glory refers in part to the dedication of Zerubbabel’s actual temple, but also prophesies God’s indwelling of human temples through Christ Jesus (1 Cor. 6:19, 20).

Haggai 2:9 - I.e. at the Second Coming of Christ. In Jewish tradition this latter temple is called “The Second Temple,” Solomon’s temple being the former temple. This is the temple that would be standing in the time of Jesus, though enlarged and beautified under Herod.

Haggai 2:10 - Haggai’s third message (“I will bless you,” v. 18) comes approximately two months after the second message (v. 1).

Haggai 2:11–14 - Before Haggai’s message of blessing, he reminds them that holiness is not transferable. Its intent is to teach that three month’s work, even on the temple, will not undo the effects of the years of neglect. The temple is not magical. The people still lack reformed lives.

Haggai 2:12 - The meat is holy of itself and renders the fold of the garment holy by contact, but the garment cannot transfer holiness. The same is not true of a person who has contracted defilement by contact (v 13), so it is easier to be defiled than to be holy.

Haggai 2:15–19 - By asking the people to look backward God reinforces the blessings of putting His purposes first from this day. . . Haggai 2:19 But from this day I will bless you are words of God’s sure, and yet unmerited, provision.

Haggai 2:21 - Zerubbabel serves as the representative of the Davidic monarchy and covenant and in direct line of the ancestry of Jesus Christ.

Haggai 2:22 - Sword of his brother: God will turn the powers opposing His people against each other so that they end up destroying themselves.

Haggai 2:23 - A signet ring represented an article of special value to its owner. Zerubbabel’s name remains recorded for all to see as a sign of the special place granted him by God, for he is listed in the genealogies of our Lord Jesus (see Matt. 1:12, 13; Luke 3:27). The authoritative seal signifying the fulfillment of the Messianic promises.

By emphasizing the cooperative roles of prophet, priest, prince, and people, Haggai also demonstrates the necessity for teamwork in carrying out God’s purposes on Earth.

Two references to Christ in the Book of Haggai are highlighted. The first is 2:6–9, which begins by explaining that what God will do in the new temple will one day gain international attention. After an upheaval among the peoples of the Earth, the nations will be drawn to the temple to discover what they had been looking for: the One whom all the nations have desired will be displayed in splendor in the temple. The presence of this One will cause the memory of Solomon’s glorious temple to fade so that only Christ’s glory remains. Along with the glory of Christ’s presence will come great peace, since the resplendent Prince of Peace Himself will be there.

The second reference to the coming Messiah is 2:23. The book closes with a mention of Zerubbabel, which ties this book, near the end of the Old Testament, with the first book in the New Testament: Zerubbabel is one of the people listed in the genealogies of Jesus. Two things make Zerubbabel significant and link him to Christ:

1. Zerubbabel is a sign of a man chosen by God, from whose yielded nature God causes to flow life, leadership, and ministry. What Zerubbabel did in part, Jesus did in full as the Servant of the Lord.

2. Zerubbabel is also in the line of the Messiah. The lists of Jesus’ ancestors in Matthew and Luke include the name of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, whose own personal significance was surpassed by his role as one who pointed ahead to the coming Savior of the world. ~NSFLB