An Introduction to Haggai: A Call to Rebuild
The book of Haggai, though one of the shortest books in the Old Testament, carries a profound and urgent message that resonates through the ages. Written around 520 B.C., it transports us to a crucial juncture in Israel's post-exilic history. Seventy years had passed since the destruction of Solomon's temple and the Babylonian captivity, as prophesied by Jeremiah. Now, a remnant of God's people had returned to Jerusalem under the decree of King Cyrus, filled with the hope of restoring their nation and their worship. Yet, years later, their spiritual priorities had waned, and the temple, the very heart of their communal worship and national identity, lay in ruins. It was into this spiritual apathy that the prophet Haggai, whose name means "my feast" or "festive," was divinely commissioned to speak, delivering a sharp, direct, and divinely inspired call to action: "Consider your ways!"
The Historical Context: A People Adrift
The return from exile was a momentous event, fulfilling God's promises. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest, the initial zeal was evident. The altar was rebuilt, and the foundation of the temple was laid with great rejoicing (Ezra 3:10-13). However, this initial enthusiasm soon encountered significant opposition from surrounding peoples, leading to discouragement and a cessation of the work for approximately sixteen years (Ezra 4:4-5, Ezra 4:24). During this prolonged delay, the people's focus shifted from God's house to their own. They began to invest their time, energy, and resources into building elaborate homes for themselves, while the house of the Lord remained a desolate heap of stones. This misplaced priority was not merely a matter of architectural neglect; it was a symptom of a deeper spiritual malady—a heart that had grown cold to the things of God, prioritizing personal comfort and prosperity over the glory of the Almighty.
Haggai's Urgent Call: "Consider Your Ways!"
Haggai's prophetic ministry begins abruptly in the second year of Darius the king (520 B.C.), delivering four distinct messages over a period of four months. His first message, delivered on the first day of the sixth month, directly confronts the people's negligence:
Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
This rhetorical question cuts to the core of their misplaced priorities. Haggai then urges them, "Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways" (Haggai 1:5). He highlights the consequences of their spiritual apathy: their efforts to prosper were met with futility. They sowed much but reaped little; they ate but were not satisfied; they drank but were not filled; they clothed themselves but were not warm; and earned wages only to put them into a bag with holes (Haggai 1:6). The heavens withheld dew, and the earth withheld its produce, leading to drought and famine. This was not random misfortune but divine discipline, directly linked to their neglect of God's house. God was effectively saying, "You put your desires first, and see what it has brought you." The solution was clear: "Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD" (Haggai 1:8). Remarkably, the people responded with obedience. Within three weeks, Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the remnant of the people began to work on the house of the LORD their God (Haggai 1:14).
The Promise of God's Presence and Glory
Despite their renewed efforts, many of the older generation who remembered the splendor of Solomon's temple were disheartened by the modest appearance of the new foundation. Haggai's second message, delivered on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, addresses this discouragement. God reassures them through His prophet:
Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
The Lord reminds them of His unwavering covenant and His abiding Spirit. More strikingly, He promises a future glory that will far surpass the former temple's grandeur: "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts" (Haggai 2:9). This prophecy points not only to the physical temple but to the ultimate coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would walk its courts and bring true peace, making the temple a dwelling place for God in a way far beyond any physical structure. The shaking of the heavens and earth (Haggai 2:6-7) points to a future eschatological upheaval, culminating in the desire of all nations, Christ Himself, filling His house with glory.
Cleanliness and Blessing
Haggai's third message, given on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, delves into the principles of ceremonial defilement and spiritual purity. Through a series of questions posed to the priests, Haggai illustrates a crucial spiritual truth: holiness is not easily transferred, but defilement spreads readily. If one carries holy flesh, does it make other things holy? No. But if one touches an unclean thing, does it make that thing unclean? Yes (Haggai 2:13). Haggai applies this analogy to the people:
Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.
Their neglect of the temple had rendered all their efforts and offerings unclean in God's sight. Their works were defiled because their priorities were defiled. However, God promises a reversal of their fortunes from the very day they set their hearts to rebuild: "Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it. Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you" (Haggai 2:19). This powerful declaration underscores that God's blessing is contingent upon obedience and right alignment with His will.
Zerubbabel: A Signet Ring
The final prophecy in Haggai is a direct message to Zerubbabel, delivered on the same day as the third message. It is a powerful affirmation of God's sovereign plan and His choice of Zerubbabel as a representative of the Davidic line. God declares:
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
A signet ring was a symbol of authority, ownership, and authenticity. By making Zerubbabel His "signet," God affirmed His choice and His covenant with David, promising that the royal line, though currently without a throne, would endure. This prophecy ultimately points to Jesus Christ, the true King from the lineage of David, who is the ultimate "signet" of God's authority and chosen one. Zerubbabel's role in rebuilding the physical temple foreshadowed Christ's role in building the spiritual temple—His church.
Lessons for Today: A Call to Spiritual Rebuilding
The book of Haggai, though ancient, speaks with remarkable relevance to believers today. Its call to rebuild is not merely about physical structures but about spiritual priorities and active obedience.
- Priorities: Are we, like the returning exiles, so focused on building our own "cieled houses"—our careers, comforts, and personal empires—that the "house of the Lord" lies waste? God's house today is not a physical temple but His church (the body of believers), our individual spiritual lives, and the advancement of His kingdom in the world. Are we investing our best time, talent, and treasure into these spiritual realities, or are we experiencing the futility of misplaced priorities?
- Obedience and Blessing: Haggai clearly demonstrates the link between obedience to God's commands and divine blessing. When the people ignored God's house, they experienced scarcity. When they obeyed and began to rebuild, God promised blessing from that day forward. This principle holds true: when we prioritize God's will, He blesses our endeavors, often in ways beyond our natural understanding.
- God's Presence and Encouragement: Despite feelings of inadequacy or discouragement (like those who remembered the former temple), God's promise remains: "I am with you." In every work for His kingdom, we are assured of His presence and the power of His Spirit. We are not to despise the day of small beginnings, for God is able to bring great glory from humble efforts.
- Future Glory and Christ: The prophecies of the latter temple's glory and Zerubbabel as a signet ring ultimately point to Christ. He is the one who brings true peace, fulfills the covenant, and builds the eternal spiritual temple. Our rebuilding efforts today should always be undertaken with an eye toward His ultimate glory and the establishment of His everlasting kingdom.
Conclusion
Haggai's concise message serves as a timeless reminder that God cares deeply about His people's priorities and their active participation in His work. It is a powerful testament to the fact that God's people cannot neglect their spiritual duties without experiencing divine discipline. Yet, it is also a book of immense hope, demonstrating God's readiness to bless and restore when His people turn back to Him in obedience. The call to "consider your ways" remains as pertinent today as it was over two millennia ago. It is a divine invitation to examine our lives, align our priorities with God's, and actively engage in the spiritual rebuilding that glorifies Him, trusting in His unwavering presence and the promise of future glory.