Haggai

1.       First Impressions

Haggai is one of the few prophets through whom God spoke that actually had people listen and take action on what he said. The book of Haggai is about God calling and encouraging His people to finish rebuilding the temple. The book is quite short and may possibly be only a summary of the messages throughout the life of the prophet Haggai, son of Zerubbabel. His messages were delivered in 520 B.C, about 18 years after the decree allowing the return of exiles to Judah at which time the foundation of the temple was laid but further building stopped due to opposition.

Haggai calls the people to build God’s house rather than their own.

2.       Theme Tracing

 

·         What does this book show about the character and nature of God?

God is sovereign. We see this in the way he speaks of giving and taking from the Israelites (1:11). God wants to be acknowledged among his people and is worthy of being placed first in everyone’s life. God tells His people that he is with them (1`:13). I was also just reminded of God being above all and out of our time, He knows what is to come and yet patiently prepares the way for it.

 

·         What does this book show about God’s redemptive plan for mankind?

The discussion between Haggai and the priests in chapter 2:10-20 is about defilement and how when something that is unclean comes in contact with something clean, the thing which was clean is now unclean. This whole passage points to a time when because of God that which is clean will be able to make the unclean clean. In chapter 2:21-23 Zerubbabel represents the seed of David and is a type for the coming messiah.

God is rebuilding his temple and people and has a bigger redemptive plan for all people revealed in these small sections.