Haggai

🏛️ Historical context

Eighteen years after the return, the temple was still in ruins. Under the Persian king Darius I, the governor Zerubbabel and the high priest Joshua resume the work.

🔙 Background

Difficulties and opposition from neighbours (Ezra 4) had halted the rebuilding.

🧭 Structure of the book

⭐ Key events and teachings

1. 1"Is it a time for you to dwell in panelled houses while this house lies in ruins?" (1:4)
2. 2The people obey and resume the work (1:12-15)
3. 3"The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former" (2:9)
4. 4Promise to Zerubbabel, a descendant of David (2:23)

🏷️ Main themes

📖 Verses to memorize

• Haggai 1:5And now thus saith the Lord of hosts: Set your hearts to consider your ways.
• Haggai 1:8Go up to the mountain, bring timber, and build the house: and it shall be acceptable to me, and I shall be glorified, saith the Lord.
• Haggai 2:5Yet now take courage, O Zorobabel, saith the Lord, and take courage, Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and take courage, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord of hosts: and perform (for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts)
• Haggai 2:6The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not.
• Haggai 2:10Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place I will give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

💭 For reflection

• Do I put God first, or "my house" first?
• What "temple" is God asking me to rebuild today?

After the return from exile, Haggai urges the people to stop caring only for their own houses and rebuild the Temple, promising that its glory will be greater than the first.