Bible Study - Minor Prophets - Haggai: A Message of Hope - January 27, 2013

Bible Study – Minor Prophets – Haggai: A Message of Hope - January 27, 2013

This is our fourth and final lesson in our series entitled, “Minor Prophets: Major Messages.”

Our scripture is Haggai 1:1-23.

Our journey through the Minor Prophets has revealed GOD’S sovereign power. The people of Nineveh were wicked and GOD sent the Prophet Jonah to them about 150 years earlier and he preached GOD’S message of repentance. The people, including the king, repented and GOD spared them. But the people of Nineveh settled back into their old ways.  Nineveh was the capital of Assyria and the people became very powerful but brutal and extremely wicked. During the ministry of the Prophet Nahum, GOD gave him a clear message that Nineveh would be utterly destroyed. This happened in 612 B.C.

In our next study, GOD revealed, through the Prophet Habakkuk, HIS plan to allow the Babylonians to capture Judah and to carry the Jews into exile. It happened as GOD said and the Jews in Judah were captured and taken to Babylon and other countries. This was 586 B.C. I will skip last week’s study of Obadiah for the moment.

Through the Prophet Haggai (HAG igh) this week, we will study the return of a remnant of Jews to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple. Babylon was overthrown by Cyrus in 539 B.C. Cyrus issued a decree in 538 B.C. allowing the exiles (Jews) to return to Jerusalem to rebuild it and the temple. The temple construction began in 536 B.C. The work on the temple stopped in 530 B.C. because of a political change and hostility in the area of Jerusalem.  Haggai’s ministry and work on the temple resumed in 520 B.C. The temple was completed in 516 B.C.

In last week’s lesson, through the Prophet Obadiah, GOD revealed HIS wrath toward the Edomites because they did not come to the aid of their kindred in Judah when Jerusalem was being attacked. The Edomites watched and gloated as Jerusalem was being destroyed and as the Jews tried to escape, they rounded them up and handed them over to the enemy. As a result, GOD allowed the Edomites and their territory to be destroyed. GOD’S message carries forward to the family of GOD today. Christians have the same Spiritual Father and are the children of GOD through CHRIST and as such are to respond to each other in times of need. I know some scam artist claim to be Christian in order to take advantage of the Christian community. Christians need to pray for discernment.

Back to our study of Haggai – As with the other prophets we have studied, we do not know much about the Prophet Haggai. He was one of the last prophets of the Old Testament. Haggai along with Zechariah and Malachi were known as the prophets of restoration. The earlier prophets were prophets of destruction. But we learned through them of GOD’S hatred for sin but HIS love for the sinner. GOD means what HE says. If HE tells people to repent or else, HE is faithful to HIS word. The Israelites were defeated and carried captive to Babylon just as GOD had told the Prophet Habakkuk. GOD also told Habakkuk that the defeat, capture and exile of the Israelites would bring them back to HIM. The fall of Jerusalem occurred in 586 B.C. The Persian King Cyrus defeated the Babylonians and some of the exiled Jews began returning to Jerusalem in 538 B.C.

In 536 B.C., the Persian emperor Cyrus issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. In fact, he allowed them to take back some of the items that had been taken from the temple when it was destroyed.

GOD called a remnant of about 50,000 (42,360 plus 7,337 servants and 200 singers) Jews to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The key is that GOD called this remnant to return to Jerusalem. This chosen remnant had the right desire, the right motives, the right heart and the will to do a very difficult job. They settled in and around Jerusalem and began the task of rebuilding the temple. They cleared the temple of the rubble and replaced the altar for burnt offerings back on its foundation, which made it possible for daily sacrifices.

The work began in the fall of 536 B.C. and by spring of 535 B.C. they had laid the foundations for the temple. Neighboring tribes became hostile toward them, especially the Samaritans who the Jews had declined their help. On top of that, Cyrus died in battle and Cambyses (Ahasuerus) was his successor. Cambyses was pushed to stop the work on the temple. The remnant in Jerusalem stopped work on the temple and focused on their private lives and providing for themselves. They got used to worshipping in the unfinished temple. Their desire to complete the temple faded. Fifteen (15) years passed and GOD sent the Prophet Haggai to challenge the people to complete what HE had called them to do.  

They originally had the desire to restore Jerusalem and the temple but they had gotten off track. They needed to be Spiritually restored. The leaders and the people listened to GOD’S message through Haggai and started rebuilding the temple. Their calling from GOD was rekindled and work began once again.

This is often typical of those called of GOD to service because for many reasons Christians can get sidetracked. The call is still there. Is GOD calling you to finish the work that HE called you too many years ago? Only, you can answer that question. The point being that the work which HE called you too may be unfinished. Only the indwelling Holy Spirit can rekindle the desire for you to complete the work you were called to. The Prophet Haggai established the time when he was led by GOD to approach the governor of Judah and the high priest of Judah, as we read our opening scripture.  

First let’s take a look at the dates. The calendar then was not as defined as it is today. The calendar year began with March as the first month of the year. In verse 1, Haggai stated these events began in the second year of King Darius, which would be 520 B.C. The sixth month would be August and the first day of the month was determined by the New Moon, therefore, the date for Haggai’s first message from GOD was August 29, 520 B.C. The New Moon was key in determining the next month during this period of time.

Let’s read Haggai 1:1-11:

Chapter 1- Command to Rebuild the Temple

1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel (zuh RUHB uh buhl) son of Shealtiel (shih AL tih el), the governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak (jih HAHZ uh dak), the high priest: 2 “The Lord of •Hosts says this: These people say: The time has not come for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt.” 3 The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” 5 Now, the Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways: 6 You have planted much but harvested little. You eat but never have enough to be satisfied. You drink but never have enough to become drunk. You put on clothes but never have enough to get warm. The wage earner puts his wages into a bag with a hole in it.” 7 The Lord of Hosts says this: “Think carefully about your ways. 8 Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house. Then I will be pleased with it and be glorified,” says the Lord. 9 “You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it. Why?” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. “Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 So on your account, the skies have withheld the dew and the land its crops. 11 I have summoned a drought on the fields and the hills, on the grain, new wine, olive oil, and whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all that your hands produce.”

Bible scholars believe that Darius assumed the throne in 522 B.C. Two (2) years later would be the first day of the sixth month 520 B.C. or August 29, 520 B.C. Notice that GOD sent Haggai to the leaders – the governor and the high priest - of this remnant group commissioned by GOD to rebuild the temple. The leaders must be on board of any work that GOD calls HIS people to. The people and their leaders had become complacent and settled into their lifestyle of caring for their needs. They had come to the conclusion that it was not the right time to restart the rebuilding of the temple. But GOD had a different message to them through Haggai. It is time to begin again and go to the hills and bring down lumber to rebuild the temple.

GOD urged the people to look around them and reflect on their lifestyle in verses 5-9. The people had finished their houses and had brought the fruits of their labor to their house. They did not bring the fruits of their labor to HIS house because HIS house remained unfinished. They had not focused upon GOD Who provides. Even though they had food and things, they were not satisfied and what they had did not last or keep them warm. They worked hard and got gain but it just did not go very far. Something was wrong but they had not figured it out. GOD was giving them a wakeup call. Had the leaders and the people taken the time to do a Spiritual inventory? GOD challenged them in verse 5 and 7 to “Think carefully about your ways!!!”

“Think carefully about your ways” is a message to all people today. It is good to stop and reflect on where we are Spiritually. Are we secure in CHRIST and obediently following HIM? Have we neglected or rejected HIM? Have we been called by GOD but have taken a leave of absence from what HE has called us to do? Are we just going through the motions of being a Christian? Have we become complacent? Are we struggling to make ends meet because we have left GOD out of our lives? How can GOD help when we have a fixed amount of money coming in and more having to go out?

GOD has HIS own multiplication table. If we give because we want to get, we will fall flat on our face. When we give out of the right heart with the right attitude, GOD takes over. It is time for a revival in our lives. It is time for us to allow GOD, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, to rekindle our love for our LORD. It is time for us to obediently follow HIM as HE leads us and gives us HIS strength to finish what HE has called us to. HIS calling may be to finish raising the children HE has entrusted to us or simply living as CHRIST would have us to live as an example of HIS love and care. There are many ways Christians are rebuilding from the ruins. The key point is that GOD stands ready to help us and provide HIS guidance and strength to finish the calling.  

Let’s read Haggai 1:12-15:

The People’s Response 

12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the entire remnant of the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of the prophet Haggai, because the Lord their God had sent him. So the people •feared the Lord. 13 Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, delivered the Lord’s message to the people, “I am with you”—this is the Lord’s declaration. 14 The Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the spirit of the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people. They began work on the house of •Yahweh of Hosts, their God, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.,

A rededication to their calling from GOD began with the leadership and flowed to the people. All had recommitted themselves to their calling.  GOD told them not to be discouraged because HE would be with them. HE would stand with them in what HE had called them to do. They still had to do the work but only GOD could placed a song in their hearts as they worked to bring glory to HIM. Work restarted on the 24^th day of the sixth month of 520 B.C., which would be the equivalent of September 21, 520 B.C.

Let’s read Haggai 2:1-9:

Chapter 2 Encouragement and Promise 

1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and to the remnant of the people: 3 Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Doesn’t it seem like nothing to you? 4 Even so, be strong, Zerubbabel”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Work! For I am with you”—the declaration of the Lord of •Hosts. 5 “This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt, and My Spirit is present among you; don’t be afraid.” 6 For the Lord of Hosts says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all the nations so that the treasures of all the nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,” says the Lord of Hosts. 8 “The silver and gold belong to Me”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts. 9 “The final glory of this house will be greater than the first,” says the Lord of Hosts. “I will provide peace in this place”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts.

On the 21^st day of the seventh month, GOD had another message through Haggai. This date was equivalent to October 17, 520 B.C. because the New Moon occurred on September 27, 520 B.C. GOD wanted the leaders to locate those who had seen the temple in its original condition.

GOD wanted them to be realistic with what had to be done. Those who had seen the original temple knew what an awesome task was ahead of them. GOD’S message was it is awesome and beyond your ability but “Be Strong” because I will be with you.

GOD wanted them to know that their efforts to rebuild the temple would be accomplished because HE would stand with them and help them. In essence, HE was telling them to do their work and HE would do HIS work. The end result would bring glory to HIM. It was a time they must work and trust as they worked.

GOD reminded them of the covenant that HE made with the Israelites when HE delivered them out of Egypt. GOD does not renege on or forget HIS promises. HE is faithful and can be trusted to do what HE says HE will do. This was a message to HIS chosen people then and Christians now. GOD through CHRIST can be depended upon regardless of the circumstances which may surround them. GOD is our strength and provider. The temple would be completed and it was in 515 B.C. When Herod became king of Judah in 37 B.C., he decided to expand and renovate the temple under Zerubbabel’s tenure.

This temple was made using physical materials but GOD had in mind the ultimate temple that would house the Holy Spirit after the passion and resurrection of HIS only Son JESUS. Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit. The question is, “Is our temple in ruins or is it in a state of rebuilding?” Just as GOD told the remnant then, HE will be with us when we choose to rebuild our relationship with HIM and it will be a temple which will glorify HIM. When we consider our lives we may conclude there is much work to be done but GOD says, “Be strong, because HE will be with us.” HE is the hope and strength of all Christians. HE is the hope of all who seek HIM for salvation.   

Let’s read Haggai 2:10-17:

From Deprivation to Blessing 

10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet: 11 “This is what the Lord of Hosts says: Ask the priests for a ruling. 12 If a man is carrying consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does it become holy?” The priests answered, “No.” 13 Then Haggai asked, “If someone defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?”The priests answered, “It becomes defiled.” 14 Then Haggai replied, “So is this people, and so is this nation before Me”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “And so is every work of their hands; even what they offer there is defiled. 15 “Now, reflect back from this day: Before one stone was placed on another in the Lord’s temple, 16 what state were you in? When someone came to a grain heap of 20 measures, it only amounted to 10; when one came to the winepress to dip 50 measures from the vat, it only amounted to 20. 17 I struck you—all the work of your hands—with blight, mildew, and hail, but you didn’t turn to Me”—this is the Lord’s declaration.

On the 24^th day of the ninth month, 520 B.C., would be equivalent to December 18, 520 B.C. because the New Moon occurred on November 25, 520 B.C. GOD told the people to recall where they were so they could establish a baseline to see how far GOD would carry them. They had tried life on their own but now they needed to see where GOD would lead them.

GOD asked two (2) important questions in verses 11-14. The questions focus on the transfer of holiness and defilement (sin). Holiness cannot be transferred but defilement (sin) could be transferred. It was time for the leaders, the priests and the people to consider their hearts toward GOD and HIS calling. Obedience was an individual matter and each person must examine his/her heart toward that which GOD had called him/her to. Rejecting GOD could infect others because sin can negatively influence others. Where is our heart toward GOD? How are we influencing others by our lifestyle or attitude?

Let’s read Haggai 2:18-19:

18 “Consider carefully from this day forward; from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid; consider it carefully. 19 Is there still seed left in the granary? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet produced. But from this day on I will bless you.”

GOD told them to mark their calendars because the 24^th day of the ninth month was the day of new beginnings. Again, that date was December 18, 520 B.C. Do you have a special hallmark day in your life? Our birthday is important and the day we accepted CHRIST as our Savior is certainly a day to remember or the day we were baptized. Just as important is the day that we rededicate our lives to our LORD JESUS, when we have gone astray. GOD tells us to mark those special days. Again, be careful, we must have the right motive. I know the day I committed my life to the LORD is etched in my mind. The exact date I do not know but that day is very clear.

Let’s read Haggai 2:20- 23: Promise to Zerubbabel 

20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month: 21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah: I am going to shake the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn royal thrones and destroy the power of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overturn chariots and their riders. Horses and their riders will fall, each by his brother’s sword. 23 On that day”—this is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts—“I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, My servant”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“and make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you.” This is the declaration of the Lord of Hosts

Again, on the 24^th day of the month GOD had a message for Zerubbabel. Again, the date was December 18, 520 B.C. In essence, GOD was telling Zerubbabel to mark his calendar because HE was going to witness, HIS mighty handiwork. HE was going to shake the Gentile kingdoms and make Zerubbabel HIS signet ring. The signet ring was a symbol of authority. GOD would make Zerubbabel a symbol of HIS authority. Zerubbabel would rule with the divine blessings of GOD.

GOD is the ultimate ruler over all. Because HE is sovereign, only HE can shake the world such that it will favor those who HE chooses to bless. GOD refers to Zerubbabel as “MY servant.” In the book of Isaiah the term “MY servant” refers to the Messiah. GOD is awesome because Zerubbabel was a descendent of King David and we see in Matthew 1:13-16 we see that Zerubbabel was in the linage of JESUS CHRIST.

Our lesson has been on hope. JESUS CHRIST is the hope of the world. Faith in CHRIST is the only way to GOD. Is your hope in CHRIST? If not, ask HIM to forgive you for your sins and to come into your life now. Blessings!