The Book of Haggai

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The book is named for its author, and the name means "festal" or "festival."

In 538 B.C. Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple.  The Samaritans and other neighbors opposed the project vigorously and managed to halt work until Darius the Great became king.  Haggai began to preach in Darius's second year.

Haggai was a prophet who, along with Zechariah, encouraged the returned exiles to rebuild the temple.  Based on 2:3, Haggai may have witnessed the destruction of Solomon's temple.  If so, he was about 80 years old during his ministry recorded in this book.  The messages of Haggai were given during a four-month period in 520 B.C.

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  • In chapter 1, God called on Haggai to deliver His message. The Jews were living in their comfortable houses while the temple, the house of God, sat unfinished, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'This people says, "The time has not come, even the time for the house of the LORD to be rebuilt” (1:2).  The  Jews began working 24 days after Haggai’s message (vs. 15).
  • In chapter 2, Haggai motivated the Jews to continue building the temple, and that God will bless them, “As for the promise which I made you when you came out of Egypt, My Spirit is abiding in your midst; do not fear!”
    (2:5). The building of the temple in Jerusalem was finished in 515 B.C.

    • continue to Zechariah...