Summary of the Book of Haggai
The Book of Haggai, a concise prophetic work, primarily urges the post-exilic Jewish community to resume and complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem [1]. The prophet Haggai delivered his messages in the second year of Darius Hystaspes, around 520 BCE [2].
The book is structured around four distinct messages or prophecies, all delivered within a few months [1]. The first message, found in Haggai 1:1-11, reproves the people for their delay in rebuilding the Temple. Haggai argues that while they live in paneled houses, the Lord's house lies in ruins [3, 4]. He connects their agricultural failures and economic struggles to their neglect of God's house, urging them to "consider your ways" [3]. This message had a significant impact, leading Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and the people to begin work on the Temple within 24 days of Haggai's initial commission [6, 8, 9].
The second prophecy (Haggai 2:1-9), delivered about a month after the first, addresses the people's potential discouragement regarding the new Temple's appearance compared to Solomon's Temple [1, 5]. Haggai encourages them by promising that the glory of this latter house will be greater than the former, a prophecy that Augustine of Hippo interprets as referring to Christ and the Church, and the shaking of heaven and earth [7].
The third message (Haggai 2:10-19), delivered two months and three days after the second, deals with ritual purity and the consequences of their past negligence [1]. Haggai uses an analogy of clean and unclean things to illustrate that their work and offerings were defiled due to their failure to prioritize the Temple [1]. He promises blessings from that day forward as they recommitted to the work [1].
Finally, the fourth prophecy (Haggai 2:20-23), delivered on the same day as the third, is directed specifically to Zerubbabel [1]. It contains a messianic promise, identifying Zerubbabel as God's chosen servant and signet ring, signifying divine favor and future restoration [1].
The style of Haggai is generally direct and practical, though some scholars suggest its present form might be an outline of longer discourses due to its brevity and economy of expression [2]. The overarching theme is the importance of prioritizing God's work and the blessings that follow obedience [4].
Sources
- 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:”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Haggai, Prophecy Of — The style of Haggai is generally tame and prosaic, though at times it rises to the dignity of severe invective when the prophet rebukes his countrymen for their selfish indolence and neglect of God's house. But the brevity of the prophecies is so great, and the poverty of expression which characterizes them so striking, as to give rise to a conjecture, not without reason, that in their present form they are but the outline or summary of the original discourses. They were delivered in the second year of Darius Hystaspes (B.C. 620), at intervals fr”
- 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 (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 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO HAGGAI 2 This chapter contains three sermons or prophecies, delivered by the prophet to the people of the Jews. The design of the first is to encourage them to go on with the building of the temple, though it might seem to come greatly short of the former temple, as to its outward form and splendour. The time of the prophecy, Hag 2:1 an order to deliver it to the governor, high priest, and all the people, Hag 2:2. A question is put concerning the difference between this temple and the former; between which it is suggested there was no com”
- Haggai (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Haggai 1:12: Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest,.... Here follows an account of the success of Haggai's prophecy; with what power and efficacy the word of the Lord by him was attended; how it at once reached and affected the hearts of princes and people, and brought them to obedience to the will of God. The governor and high priest are mentioned first, as being the principal persons, and who very probably first declared their sense of their former neglect, and their readiness to do as they were directed; which was setting a good ex”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 35.--OF THE PROPHECY OF THE THREE PROPHETS, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, AND MALACHI. (part 1): There remain three minor prophets, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, who prophesied at the close of the captivity. Of these Haggai more openly prophesies of Christ and the Church thus briefly: "Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Yet one little while, and I will shake the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; and I will move all nations, and the desired of all nations shall come."(11) The fulfillment of this prophecy is in part already s”
- Haggai (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Haggai 1:15: In the four and twentieth day - Haggai received his commission on the first day of this month and by the twenty-fourth day he had so completely succeeded that he had the satisfaction to see the whole people engaged heartily in the Lord's work; they left their own houses to build that of the Lord. Here was a faithful reprover, and he found obedient ears; and the Lord's work was done, for the people had a mind to work.”
- 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”