Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

Haggai: Obedience & Presence

Haggai’s message comes about 16-20 years following the exiles’ return from Babylon; despite this long period of time, the temple had not yet been rebuilt.

Under duress from surrounding opposition and distracted by their own personal ambitions, the people had ceased rebuilding the Temple, having failed to recognize God’s attempts to get their attention.

Chapter 1: Obedience -- “Consider your ways” 1.2-4)

Why did work on the House of God stop? (Ezra 4.1-6, 23-24)
Strong opposition from the surrounding foreigners, fear of retribution from their suzerain lords in Persia, discouragement given their circumstances
Disillusionment with temple worship
(70 years in Babylonian captivity with no temple & Ezekiel documented the Spirit leaving prior to the exile).

Through Haggai and Zechariah, the Spirit calls the people to repent, obey, and work again (1.12-15; Ezra 5.1-2)
Obedience must be immediate; tied to fearing the Lord (1.12)
The Lord stirs His people to action, but they must comply or risk hardening their hearts (1.12, 14)
Obedience must persevere, even if the end goal is far away
The temple rebuilding project spans the rule of four Persian emperors
It’s not truly obedience if we quit halfway

Chapter 2: Presence -- “I am with you” / “I will fill this house with glory” (2.1-9)

Which is usually better, the way it used to be or the way it is now?
What is the basis of comparison? (2.3; Ezra 3.12-13)
Some of the old men could remember the grandeur of Solomon’s temple, which had taken 7 years to build at the peak of Israel’s power
Perhaps Haggai himself was old enough to remember the former temple (which would make him 70+ years old during his ministry)
The captivity and sin that had brought the nation to that point had been forgiven, but the consequences of that sin would never be forgotten

What would make this second temple more glorious than the first? (2.9)
Even Solomon acknowledged that it was God’s presence that ultimately made the house He’d built meaningful (1 Kings 8.27)
The temple envisioned is something beyond the building
The heart becomes the temple (Ezek 36.26; 1 Cor 3.16; 6.19-20)
Our hearts remain the root of sin (Psa 51.11-12; Jer 17.9; Jas 1.14-15)

Zerubbabel, the Signet Ring (2.20-23)
The signet = the royal ring passed down as a sign of rightful succession
As governor, Zerubbabel had been chosen to lead the people in this time of crisis and uncertainty
As a descendant of David, he had been chosen as the one through whom the line of the Messiah would continue (Matt 1.12-13, 16)
The remnant wondered if the kingly line of the Messiah had been broken, if God had forgotten His covenant; God seeks to remind them that He has not
God affirmed and accomplished His plan for the coming of the Messiah amidst a time of great political turmoil -- His plan remains unhindered by human events
Destruction of earthly kingdoms as God establishes His throne (2.20-22)
An image of David’s house restored = the rightful Davidic King, Jesus Christ, will reign (2.23)
God’s promise to bless his people and the whole world through the house of David still stands (cf. Matt. 1:1)