1:1–2 Introduction: Reluctant Rebuilders. The major problem that the book addresses is that the temple is in ruins and the people are doing nothing about it.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:1 second year . . . sixth month . . . first day. August 29, 520 B.C. It is three weeks after the anniversary of the destruction of the first temple (2 Kings 25:8). Zerubbabel was heir to the Davidic throne and governor of Judah (see Ezra 5:2). Joshua. High priest and son of Jehozadak, whose line is traced through Zadok to Aaron (1 Chron. 6:11–15; Zech. 3:1).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:2 LORD of hosts emphasizes the Lord’s universal rule as leader of heavenly or earthly armies (see note on 1 Sam. 1:3).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:3–12 Consider Your Ways: Fruitless Prosperity. In this second word to Haggai, the Lord asks his people to consider whether their wealth brings satisfaction. He encourages them to supply materials for “my house” (vv. 3–11). A general response follows (v. 12).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:4 paneled houses . . . ruins. The people focus on comfortable personal dwellings (see v. 9) while the Lord remains “homeless” (compare 2 Sam. 7:2).
The paneled houses described in 1:4 probably had walls and ceilings covered with cedar wood. Such decoration was a sign of prosperity in a land where wood was scarce. The people were spending freely on their own homes while neglecting the rebuilding of the temple.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:6 sown much . . . harvested little. Because of their preference for personal gain over temple rebuilding, God has not blessed the people’s labors. eat . . . drink. . . . clothe. . . . earns wages. They need to “consider their ways” (v. 5) because their self-focused efforts lead only to frustration.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:9 busies himself with. The criticism of their misplaced priorities, implied in v. 4, is now made clear.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:10–11 Therefore. . . . drought. There is a direct connection between the ruin of the Lord’s house (vv. 4, 9) and the current hardship.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:12 Convicted by the criticism of vv. 3–11, the people respond fearfully. The remnant (v. 14; 2:2) is the same as the people addressed in 1:2; 2:4, 14.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:13–15a Promise and Progress. The people’s general response of fear (v. 12) prompts the prophet’s third statement.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:13–14 The words messenger, message, and worked are a play on words in Hebrew. It shows the direct connection between the messenger (Haggai), the content of his message (a statement of assurance), and the desired effect upon the people (they resumed work on the temple).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:13 I am with you is the great promise of covenantal assurance (compare 2:4; Num. 14:9; Josh. 14:12; Judg. 1:19; Isa. 43:5; Matt. 28:20). The task before them will be undertaken with the promise of God’s help.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:14 the LORD stirred up the spirit. Progress on the house is made only as God awakens in the people an intense desire to work at building it (compare Ex. 35:21, 26, 30–35). their God. The people claim God as their own (compare Jer. 24:7; 31:33).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 1:15b–2:9 The Former and Latter Glory of This House. Comparing the temple’s past glory with the present ruins brought discouragement (2:1–3). In this fourth message the people are called to act based on the past (2:4–5). As God moved Israel to build the tabernacle, so he will now move among the nations to provide for the restoration of his house (2:6–9).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:3 Who is left. Some of those who had returned from exile could remember Solomon’s temple, which had been destroyed 66 years earlier (compare Ezra 3:12). Is it not as nothing in your eyes? The people could see that the rebuilt temple would be far inferior to Solomon’s temple.
The temple was the means through which God dwelt with his people in meaningful fellowship (1:13; 2:4–5). It also brought glory and pleasure to God (1:8). Jesus said that he was the final temple, restoring fellowship once more between God and his people (John 2:19–22; Eph. 2:19–22).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:4 I am with you. As earlier, God’s presence forms the basis for their ongoing work in the face of discouragement (compare 1:13–14).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:5 The command Fear not is based on the assurance that My Spirit remains in your midst. This is one of the strongest OT statements of God’s ongoing presence among his people.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:6 LORD of hosts (five times in vv. 6–9) emphasizes the Lord’s sovereign authority over all things.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:7 God promises to shake all nations so that they will yield the treasures of all nations to adorn the temple. Ultimately, the Lord will fill his house with glory—that is, with his own presence. Many see in this oracle a foreshadowing of events related to the incarnation of Christ (see John 2:20–21) and his second coming (see Rev. 21:22, 24).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:8 God ultimately owns all the wealth of all nations: the silver is mine, and the gold is mine. Therefore it should be used in obedience to him.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:9 The latter glory of this house. The rebuilt temple was later expanded and made quite beautiful by Herod the Great (74–3 B.C.). He used Roman wealth to pay for this project (see vv. 7–8). The fact that Jesus came to this temple also made its glory greater than that of Solomon’s temple.
When the people of God returned from their lengthy exile in Babylon, Jerusalem was in ruins. Within a short time they laid the foundation for a new temple, but they quickly grew discouraged and began focusing instead on their own homes. By Haggai’s time, nearly 20 years later, the temple was still unfinished. God used Haggai to encourage the people to finish rebuilding the temple: “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (1:4). Haggai encouraged the disheartened people of Judah with the message that the God of Israel had not abandoned them. His Spirit was still in their midst, and he would fulfill his promise to bless the whole world through them. (Haggai 2:4–9)
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:10–19 Consider Your Ways: Holiness and Defilement; Repentance and Blessing. In this fifth message, the Lord uses an analogy of ritual holiness and uncleanness to force the priests to think about the spiritual status of the people (vv. 10–14), about past agricultural failures (vv. 15–17), and about their experience since temple restoration began (vv. 18–19).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:11 priests. Haggai directs questions to priests because it is their duty to give a ruling in matters of Mosaic ritual and law (Lev. 10:10–11).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:13 dead body. One who has contact with a dead body pollutes all that he contacts (Lev. 22:1–9).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:14 every work of their hands. All that they do is unclean (compare v. 17). there. The temple. It is unclean because they permit a “corpse” (the unfinished temple) to remain in their midst.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:15–17 The Lord calls the people to reflect upon their economic situation prior to the start of reconstruction. The past lack of agricultural prosperity did not lead to repentance.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:15 consider (literally, “set your hearts”; compare v. 18 [2x]). They should recall past experience, but also see what God is doing now.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:17 I struck. A drastic action motivated by a Father’s love for his children, to encourage them to repent (Deut. 30:1–10; Heb. 12:7–11). to me. Compare Amos 4:9.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:19 Is the seed yet in the barn? Although God’s people had already planted their seeds, harvest is still months away. The Lord promises that a plentiful harvest will come. This day is the day when the Lord promised, I will bless you.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:20–23 Zerubbabel: The Signet Ring. The sixth and final message from the Lord to Haggai complements the previous word and comes on the same day (vv. 10, 18, 20). It is a vision of trembling creation, overthrown kingdoms, and perishing armies. Ultimately, the vision focuses upon the actions of the divine King. He wears, as a signet ring, the promise of David’s house restored in the person of Zerubbabel.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:21 The sovereign Lord warns of a coming destruction of nations. shake. Earlier this was for the purpose of gathering the wealth of the nations (vv. 6–7), while here it is tied to the impending destruction of the nations.
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:22 chariots . . . riders. . . . go down. An allusion to the destruction of Pharaoh’s army (Ex. 14:22–29).
HAGGAI—NOTE ON 2:23 On that day. This phrase, common in prophetic writings, sets the Lord’s actions in an unspecified future, that is, “the day of the LORD” (Isa. 2:11–20; see note on Amos 5:18–20; see also The Day of the Lord in the Prophets). I will take. The Lord’s actions are underscored by repeating three times declares the LORD [of hosts]. my servant. A title given to individuals selected to accomplish God’s appointed task. It is particularly associated with David or an ideal Davidic king (2 Sam. 3:18; Ps. 89:3; Ezek. 34:23–24). signet ring. A ring that provided evidence of royal authority and ownership. God’s promise to bless his people and the whole world through the house of David still stands (see Matt. 1:1).