Name:________________________________________Date______________________

To call the people to complete the rebuilding of the Temple

Haggai – the text does not identify the author, though it does tell the story of Haggai’s

Ministry and records some of his oracles or utterances. He is called by some the "prophet of the Temple", who ministered to the House of Judah and especially to Zerubbabel and Jeshua. Haggai begins with the return of God’s people from captivity and the rebuilding of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem. He, Zechariah and Malachi make up the post- captivity prophets. He also gives us specific dates that we can locate in history (see 1:1; 1:15; 2:1; 2:10,20).

TO WHOM WRITTEN: The people living in Jerusalem and those who had returned from exile.

Haggai’s ministry covered a period of about 15 years, beginning 16years after the first remnant returned from Babylon. _______ B.C. and _______ B.C.

The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed in 586 B.C. Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their Temple in 538 B.C. They began the work, but were unable to complete it. Through the ministry of Haggai and Zechariah, the Temple was completed. (520B.C.-505 B.C.)

KEY VERSE:  "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this home be waste?" (1:4)

Haggai, Zerubbabel, Jeshua

KEY PLACE:  Jerusalem.

THE CALL TO REBUILD THE TEMPLE (1:1 – 15)

ENCOURAGEMENT TO COMPLETE THE TEMPLE (2:1 –23)

Right Priorities – After 15 years the Temple was still unfinished because the

people were more concerned with their own comfort and homes than they

were for God’s house. Haggai told them to get their priorities straight.

God’s encouragement – Haggai encouraged the people as they worked. He

assured them of the divine presence of the Holy Spirit, of final victory,

and the hope that the Messiah would reign.

There is only one book shorter that Haggai in the Old Testament do you remember what it is?

Based upon what you have read in this lesson and in the Scriptures would you say that Haggai had an effective ministry?

What two prophets were instrumental in motivating the people as they rebuilt the city and the Temple? (need help? See Ezra 5:1,2)

Who was Zerubbabel?

Who was Joshua/Jeshua found in the book of Haggai?

The Book of Haggai consists of only 38 verses, yet, Haggai is able to show the differing consequences of disobedience, vs obedience as well as to point to the coming Messiah. Haggai was an older contemporary of Zechariah. Both dealt with the same themes, although in quite different ways. Haggai was a practical doer, while Zechariah was an apocalyptic visionary. Haggai did not mince words, but went right to the point,

While Zechariah mixed metaphors in a memorable way. The book records not only his utterances, but also his ministry and the response of the people to it.

Haggai was the first of three prophets to minister to Judah after the Babylonian Captivity. Because of opposition, the work of rebuilding the Temple had ceased for several years. The people had grown cold-hearted and had not made any attempt to begin the work again. Thus Haggai and Zechariah exhorted them to do so. The bulk of Haggai’s prophecy is personal, to Zerubbabel the governor (political leader) and to Jeshua the high priest (religious leader). The remainder contains rebuke and encouragement to the priests and the people. Interwoven among the prophecies concerning the literal Temple are prophecies pertaining to the spiritual Temple – the Church.

Christ is seen as our Prophet (Haggai), Priest (Jeshua), and Prince (Zerubbabel), thus uniting the three offices in one person. He is the builder of the Lord’s House – The Church (Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 3:5).

Thank you for studying with us today. At this point you may choose to either save an unfinished assignment or submit it to the Pastor’s office for review and feedback.

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