Haggai — Introduction & Outline

Nine references in this book attribute the prophecy to Haggai. Two references in Ezra (Ezra 5:1-6:14) name him as the prophet who worked alongside Zechariah in encouraging the returned Jews to rebuild the temple. Haggai may have come to Jerusalem with the first group of returnees under Zerubbabel in 536 B.C. Jewish tradition says he was born in Babylon and studied under Ezekiel.

The prophecies of Haggai are precisely dated from the reign of Darius as occurring from September 1 to December 24 520 B.C.

The ascendancy of the Persians over the Babylonians brought more favorable times for the Jews. In 538 B.C. the Persian king, Cyrus, issued a decree for the exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The first group to return under Zerubbabel in 536 B.C. began the work of the temple, but halted it in 534 B.C. because of Samaritan opposition and threats.

The discouraged Jews grew lethargic and the temple project was neglected for selfish concerns. However, work resumed under Darius I (521-486 B.C.) when the prophets Haggai and Zechariah encouraged the people to complete the temple. Haggai's message was reinforced by Zechariah so that the temple was finally completed in 515 B.C. It was not as glorious as the former temple (2:3), but at least allowed the renewal of temple worship. The background for Haggai's prophecy is found in the events of Ezra 4-6.

Haggai prophesied to move his people to complete the temple so that God could come and restore His blessing. In doing so, he shows that their failures in other areas of life are a result of neglecting the work of the Lord on the temple.

Haggai delivers four messages (1:1-15; 2:1-9,10-19,20-23) to the returned Jews as he encourages them to rebuild the temple. In the first, he exhorts the leaders and the people to build the temple (1:1-15). He rebukes their procrastination and indifference (1:2-6) and explains how this neglect is responsible for their present troubles (1:9-11). The response is positive as the leaders and the people obey Haggai and renew work on the temple (1:12-15).

The second message contains the promise of the future glory that will fill the temple (2:1-9). Though it is not as glorious as the former Solomonic temple (2:3), they have the assurance of God's presence and a future glory far greater than the former temple (2:4-9).

The third message declares the blessings available for present obedience (2:10-19). Haggai explains the infectious nature of sin (2:11-14) and reminds them of God's discipline for sin in the past. This was told them to get their attention so He could bless them for obedience in the present and the future (2:15-19).

The fourth message uses the governor, Zerubbabel, to foreshadow the restoration of the Davidic dynasty (2:20-23). After God judges the Gentiles, he will set up the Davidic Messiah, depicted by Zerubbabel, as the Ruler (2:23). Each message of Haggai thus encourages the completion of the temple by promising present and future blessings

1. The First Message: The Exhortation to Build the Temple 1:1-15

   1. The historical superscription 1:1
   2. The rebuke of the people's procrastination 1:2-6

      1. The people express their procrastination. 1:2
      2. God asks about their indifference. 1:3-4
      3. God notes their impoverishment. 1:5-6
   3. The exhortation to resume building the temple 1:7-8
   4. The explanation of the people's impoverishment 1:9-11

      1. They let the temple lie in ruins. 1:9
      2. Therefore God withheld His provision. 1:10-11
   5. The response to the message 1:12-15

      1. The leaders and people respond in fear and obedience. 1:12
      2. The Lord reassures them of His presence. 1:13
      3. The people are stirred up to begin work. 1:14-15
2. The Second Message: The Promise of Future Glory in the Temple 2:1-9

   1. The historical superscription 2:1-2
   2. The comparison of the present temple with the former 2:3
   3. The assurance from the Lord that He is with them 2:4-5
   4. The proclamation of the future glory of the temple 2:6-9

      1. God promises to fill the temple with glory. 2:6-7
      2. God declares His ownership of building materials. 2:8
      3. The glory of the future temple will exceed the former. 2:9
3. The Third Message: The Present Blessings of Obedience 2:10-19

   1. The historical superscription 2:10
   2. The infectious nature of sin 2:11-14

      1. The priests are asked two questions. 2:11-13

         1. Haggai is told to ask the priests. 2:11
         2. He asks about the nature of holiness. 2:12
         3. He asks about the nature of uncleanliness. 2:13
      2. The people are reproved for uncleanliness 2:14
   3. God's dealing with the people in the past and future 2:15-19

      1. God reminds them of His chastisement in the past. 2:15-17
      2. God promises them His blessing in the future. 2:18-19
4. The Fourth Message: The Prophecy about Zerubbabel 2:20-23

   1. The historical superscription 2:20-21a
   2. The overthrow of Gentile kingdoms 2:21b-22
   3. The promise of the restoration of the Davidic line 2:23