Minor Prophets · Old Testament
Haggai
520 BC
- Section
- Minor Prophets · Old Testament
- Events span
- 520 BC
- Written
- 520 BC
- Author
- Haggai
After the exiles return, work on the temple has stalled for years while the people build their own houses. In four dated messages over four months, Haggai stirs them to “consider your ways” and finish rebuilding God's house, promising his presence and blessing.
Historical setting: Returned from exile, rebuilding the neglected Second Temple (520 BC).
Chronological placement: Precisely dated to 520 BC, alongside Zechariah, during the rebuilding of the temple (completed 516 BC).
Key themes
- Rebuilding the temple
- Right priorities
- Consider your ways
- God's presence
- Encouragement to work
Key events
- Haggai rebukes the people for paneling their own houses while God's house lies in ruins
- The people obey and resume work on the temple, and God stirs up their spirits
- God promises that the glory of the new temple will surpass that of the former
- A call to holiness, with the promise of blessing from this day forward
- God promises to make Zerubbabel like a signet ring, a sign of the coming kingdom
Key lessons
- Misplaced priorities drain life of blessing; while the people paneled their own houses and left God’s house in ruins, they sowed much and reaped little. Hag 1:4–6
- God calls his people to “consider your ways” and put first things first; when they obey and resume his work, he assures them, “I am with you.” Hag 1:7–13
- God meets discouragement with his presence, not grand results; he tells a people building a modest temple to “be strong… for I am with you,” and to work without fear. Hag 2:4–5
“The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.”