Haggai 1:1-15 - A Call to Rebuild the Temple
Haggai 1:1-15 - A Call to Rebuild the Temple
Haggai 1:1 introduces the prophet Haggai's first message to the post-exilic community in Jerusalem, urging them to rebuild the Temple [3]. The passage begins with a date, "In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month," establishing the historical context for the prophecy [1].
The prophet Haggai confronts the people about their priorities, quoting them as saying, "The time has not come to rebuild the temple of Yahweh" [2]. Haggai challenges this complacency by pointing out the contrast between their own comfortable houses and the ruined state of the Temple. He exhorts them to "consider your ways" and to prioritize the rebuilding of the Temple, promising that God will be glorified in it [1, 7].
The people's neglect of the Temple has led to economic hardship and scarcity, as God has withheld his blessings [6]. Haggai argues that their failure to rebuild the Temple has resulted in a cycle of disappointment and frustration in their daily lives [7]. The prophet urges the people to "go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified" [1].
The passage concludes by noting the people's response to Haggai's message. On the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, the people began to work on the Temple, and by the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, they had made significant progress [8]. This swift response is seen as a positive turning point, marking a renewed commitment to God's service.
The historical context of Haggai's prophecy is significant. The Temple had been in ruins since its destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, and the post-exilic community had made a start on rebuilding it around 536 BCE, but progress had stalled [4, 5]. Haggai's message comes at a critical moment, urging the people to redouble their efforts and complete the project.
The passage highlights the importance of prioritizing God's house and recognizing the consequences of neglecting it. As Matthew Henry notes, the people's "dilatoriness and slothfulness in building the temple had provoked God to contend with them by the judgment of famine and scarcity" [6]. The rebuilding of the Temple is not just a practical task but a spiritual imperative, demonstrating the community's commitment to God's service.
Sources
- Haggai “Haggai 1:8 (NASB) — "Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified," says the LORD.”
- Haggai “Haggai 1:2 (LEB) — “Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘This people says, “⌞The time has not come to rebuild the temple of Yahweh⌟.’ ””
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Haggai, Book of — Consists of two brief, comprehensive chapters. The object of the prophet was generally to urge the people to proceed with the rebuilding of the temple. Chapter first comprehends the first address (2-11) and its effects (12-15). Chapter second contains, (1.) The second prophecy (1-9), which was delivered a month after the first. (2.) The third prophecy (10-19), delivered two months and three days after the second; and (3.) The fourth prophecy (20-23), delivered on the same day as the third. These discourses are referred to in Ezra 5:1; 6:14; Heb. 12:”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 3, section 1: . Of The Building Of This Temple”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 3, section 1: . Of The Building Of This Temple”
- Haggai (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Haggai 1 (introduction): In this chapter, after the preamble of the prophecy, we have, I. A reproof of the people of the Jews for their dilatoriness and slothfulness in building the temple, which had provoked God to contend with them by the judgment of famine and scarcity, with an exhortation to them to resume that good work and to prosecute it in good earnest (Hag 1:1-11). II. The good success of this sermon, appearing in the people's return and close application to that work, wherein the prophet, in God's name, animated and encouraged them, assuring them that God was with th”
- Haggai (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Haggai 1 (introduction): This chapter contains the first sermon of the Prophet Haggai to the people of the Jews, directed to Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest; the date of which is fixed, Hag 1:1. It begins with a charge against that people; saying the time to build the house of the Lord was not come, Hag 1:2 which is refuted by the prophet; arguing, that, if the time to panel their dwelling houses was come, then much more the time to build the Lord's house, Hag 1:3. They are urged to consider how unsuccessful they had been in their civil employments and labours,”
- Haggai (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Haggai 1:15: four and twentieth day--twenty-three days after the first message of Haggai (Hag 1:1). Next: Haggai Chapter 2”