Old Testament survey (37): Haggai

Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes (Haggai 1:4-6)

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)

Overview

[1] Haggai, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3)

The theme of Haggai is the temple. The reconstruction and refurbishing of the temple were the supreme passion of this prophet. He not only rebuked the people for their delay in rebuilding the temple, but he also encouraged them and helped them in this enterprise.

Haggai constantly referred to the “word of the LORD” as the supreme authority. He willingly humbled himself that the Lord might be exalted. His message was practical. It was as simple and factual as 2+2=4. The prophecy of Haggai and the Epistle of James have much in common. Both put the emphasis upon the daily grind. Action is spiritual. A “do nothing” attitude is wicked. Both place this yardstick down upon life. Work is the measure of life.

There are two keys verses in this book: “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…. And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God” (Hag. 1:8, 14). (Read the complete article)

[2] Book of Haggai, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)

As with most of the books of the minor prophets, Haggai ends with promises of restoration and blessing. In the last verse, Haggai 2:23, God uses a distinctly messianic title in reference to Zerubbabel, “My Servant” (Compare 2 Samuel 3:18; 1 Kings 11:34; Isaiah 42:1–9; Ezekiel 37:24,25). Through Haggai, God promises to make him like a signet ring, which was a symbol of honor, authority, and power, somewhat like a king’s scepter used to seal letters and decrees. Zerubbabel, as God’s signet ring, represents the house of David and the resumption of the messianic line interrupted by the Exile. Zerubbabel reestablished the Davidic line of kings which would culminate in the millennial reign of Christ. Zerubbabel appears in the line of Christ on both Joseph’s side (Matt. 1:12) and Mary’s side (Luke 3:27). (Read the complete article)

[3] Haggai, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

Haggai was a prophet of the restored remnant after the 70 years’ captivity. The circumstances are detailed in Ezra and Nehemiah. To hearten, rebuke, and instruct that feeble and divided remnant was the task of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. The theme of Haggai is the unfinished temple, and his mission to admonish and encourage the builders.

The divisions of the book are marked by the formula, “came the word of the Lord by Haggai”:

1. The event which drew out the prophecy, 1:1, 2.
2. The divine displeasure because of the interrupted work, 1:3-15.
3. The temples—Solomon’s, the restoration temple, and the kingdom-age temple, 2:1-9.
4. Uncleanness and chastening, 2:10-19.
5. The final victory, 2:20-23 (see) Re19:17-20; 14:19,20; Zec14:1-3.

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Seek First The Kingdom Of God -- Commentary On The Book Of Haggai, by Paul G. Apple

[2] Materials by David Malick

• An Introduction to the Book of Haggai (download Word doc)
• An Argument of the Book of Haggai (download Word doc)

[3] Haggai, by Eugene H. Merrill

[4] Haggai, by Hampton Keathley IV

[5] The Minor Prophets, by J. Hampton Keathley, III

Sermons from Haggai (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] It All Belongs to God, by Michael Stark, New Beginnings Baptist Church

[2] Haggai #01 A Call to Build the House, by James (Jim) L. Goforth, Jr, New Life Baptist Church

[3] Sermons by Dr. Stephen Felker, Pastor, Swift Creek Baptist Church

• Haggai 1:2-14 “The Time to Build Has Come”
• Haggai 1:5-7 “Financial Pitfalls to Avoid”

[4] Haggai - homiletical outline, by Agustin Hernandez

[5] God’s Plan for His Work, by Charles Leman Eldred

[6] How Does It Look To You? by Marvin L. Jackson

[7] Sermons by John Fimple

• The Right Vision
• Imagine what God Can Do

[8] Procrastination - Our Life or Futility, by Richard M. Barnett Jr.

[9] Sermons by Earl Hardy

• When your pocket has a hole in it
• Take A Good Look At Your Life
• The Best Is Yet To Come

[10] A Purse with Holes in it, by David Harp

[11] Tithe and Restitution, by Wesley McDonald

[12] Giving God The First Place, by Anthony Lowe

[13] Maintaining Your 20/20, by Tony Penner

[14] How To Keep On Track Spiritually, by Roy Burket

[15] Haggai 1, by John Murphy

[16] Call for Encouragement, by Woody Rimes

[17] God is calling; do we hear Him? by James Baker

[18] A Word Of Encouragement, by Paul R. Carter

[19] First Things First, by Harry Swayne

[20] Press On, by Mike Chu

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.