Haggai

Introduction to Haggai

The Chapters of Haggai - Scholars Crossing

1. Introduction: Reluctant Rebuilders (1:1–2)

The Commission to Rebuild the Temple (Ezr 5:1 )

2. Consider Your Ways: Fruitless Prosperity (1:3–12)

[Hag 1:12 LSB]
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, listened to the voice of Yahweh their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as Yahweh their God had sent him. And the people feared Yahweh.

3. Promise and Progress (1:13–15a)

[Hag 1:14 LSB]
So Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work on the house of Yahweh of hosts, their God,

4. The Former and Latter Glory of This House (1:15b–2:9)

The Glory of Yahweh Will Fill the Temple

[Hag 2:9 LSB]
'The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,' says Yahweh of hosts, 'and in this place I will give peace,' declares Yahweh of hosts."

5. Consider Your Ways: Holiness and Defilement;

6. Repentance and Blessing (2:10–19)

7. Zerubbabel: The Signet Ring (2:20–23)

Yahweh Chooses Zerubbabel

[Hag 2:23 LSB]
'On that day,' declares Yahweh of hosts, 'I will take you, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant,' declares Yahweh, 'and I will make you like a signet [ring], for I have chosen you,'" declares Yahweh of hosts.

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/zerubbabel-lords-signet-ring

Haggai concludes with a messianic word to Zerubbabel that God would greatly exalt him (vv. 20–23), but the prophet does not mean the person of Zerubbabel himself. The prophets often promise the return of David—the first ruler of Israel appointed by God alone before the exile—but the person in view is actually one of David's sons as prophesied in 2 Samuel 7:1–17. Haggai promises the throne to Zerubbabel—the first ruler of Israel appointed by God alone after the exile—but the person in view is actually one of Zerubbabel's sons.

God's promise to exalt Zerubbabel, that is, one of Zerubbabel's sons, is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who is David's descendant through Zerubbabel (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38). Christ has been exalted to the right hand of God the Father Almighty, fulfilling Haggai's word. Because the promise to Zerubbabel has been fulfilled, we can be confident that the Lord will keep all of His promises, namely that our glory as His house will one day be greater than any previous temple.