HAGGAI 1 AND 2
PRIORITIES
Time frame of this prophesy is important.
It takes place in September 520 b.c.
This makes Haggai the first of the minor prophetic books after the exile from Babylon. (After 70 years of captivity).
Timeline
538 B.C. King Cyrus allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem.
536 B.C. Construction of the temple began.
534 B.C. The construction came to a halt. (After just 2 years)
520 B.C. The construction began again. Due to the prophesy of Haggai. (After 14 years of neglect)
What happened?
PRIORITIES!!!
The message is very CONSTRUCTIVE and exciting.
Haggai is tasked with sharing God's plan to rebuild His Holy temple.
These two chapters could be summed up with one word. PRIORITIES.
Example: what does it take to build a house / building.
1. Idea (A place to worshipGod)
2. Funds / money ( The remnant of the remaining Jews)
3. Property / place to build (Jerusalem)
4. Plan / blueprint (Gods original design)
5. A builder / skilled craftsmen ( The Jewish people under the guidance of the Prophets
6. Materials
Haggai 1:1-4
[1] In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua a son of Jozadak, the high priest: [2] This is what the Lord Almighty says: These people say, 'The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house. ' [3] Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai: [4] Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin ?
Israel was set free by God.
Early on, they were thankful and desired to please God and worship Him.
They began rebuilding the temple that was destroyed.
They were blessed beyond compare.
Great blessings must bring about bad memories.
LIFE IS GOOD! Don't really need God.
PRIORITIES
Haggai 1 5-6
[5] Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: Give careful thought to your ways. [6] You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.
Are we ever satisfied? How much is enough? Is life all about me, us?
Philippians 4:10-13
[10] I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. [11] I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. [13] I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
A reference to Haggai in Ezra
Ezra 5:1-2
[1] Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the prophet, a descendant of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. [2] Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jozadak set to work to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. And the prophets of God were with them, supporting them.
Ezra 6:14-15
[14] So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia. [15] The temple was completed on the third day of the month Adar, in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius.
Read Haggai 1:7-11
God blesses and God withholds.
God is always reminding us that HE is in control.
What does it take for us to remember that?
Read Haggai 1:12-15
****And the people feared the LORD.
Haggai chapter 2
Read verses 1-5
Israel was in exile in Babylon for 70 years. Add the 2 years it took to decide to rebuild and 16 years that passed after the rebuild stopped. They have been back in Jerusalem for 18 years now.
How many people that saw the temple before the exile were still alive?
But some were reminded of the beauty of the original temple.
God has a reminder for them.
The term God uses to encourage them is repeated 3 times.
BE STRONG!!!!! (Remember Joshua. "Be strong and courageous ")
My Spirit remains among you.
Look at chapter 2: 10-14
Verse 14. God refers to the people as "this people".
What a message. No longer "my people".
Verses 15 thru 19 are a recap of the lost blessings..
God reminds them again, and again, and again, and.........
But then.......
Haggai 2:19
From this day on I will bless you.
There is HOPE!!!