Introduction, Context, and Historical Setting of the Book
According to the Old Testament arrangement of the Bible, the last three books, that is, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, are characterized as the post-exilic prophetic books. Among these, the book of Haggai stands out as the first book. According to Jewish tradition, Haggai, like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, might have been taken to Babylon as a very young boy in 586 BC, but returned to Jerusalem as an old man during the second year of King Darius of Persia in 520 BC (Haggai 1:1). Haggai served as a prophet and messenger of the Lord during the Babylonian exile (Haggai 1:1, 13).
The time period of the book is between the destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem by the Babylonian army in 586 BC and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem during the second year of the Persian King Darius’ reign in 520 BC. According to the prophecies made by Isaiah (Isaiah 45:1-3); Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12; 29:10-14); and Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 9), King Cyrus of Persia captured the Babylonian kingdom (c. 539 BC) and declared freedom for the Jewish community, allowing them to return to Jerusalem. Thus, the first group of (about 50,000) Jews returned to Jerusalem [c. 538/537 BC] under the leadership of Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest (Ezra 1:1-4). In the second year of their arrival in Jerusalem with great hope, the foundation for rebuilding the temple of God was laid [c. 536 BC] (Ezra 3:8-10). However, within two years, the rebuilding project stopped due to the strong opposition from the enemies [the Samaritans and other neighboring nations] (Ezra 4:1). Soon, the Jews gave up building the Temple but focused on building their own houses (Haggai 1:2, 3, 9, 10). Again, around 520 BC, God spoke to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people through prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Hence, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, the Jews restarted the work of rebuilding the temple. Despite the enemies’ opposition, the Jews consistently worked and the construction of the new temple was completed and dedicated within the next four years (Ezra 4-6).
Title, Author, and Date of Writing
The book is named after its author חַגַּי (Haggay). He was one of the leading prophets during the exile. The name Haggai is derived from Hag, which means “festival.” God spoke to the Jewish remnant through prophet Haggai repeatedly, especially during the time of rebuilding the temple. According to Haggai 1:1, the book was written sometime after 520 BC because God spoke to Haggai during the second year of the Persian King Darius’ reign.
Purpose of Writing
Although, the book of Haggai is one of the shortest books in the Old Testament (second shortest book after Obadiah), its noteworthy contents make it one of the widely preached books in the Old Testament. The purpose of God’s revelation through prophet Haggai was to:
- inspire the Jewish remnant to restructure and dedicate their lives according to the plan of God (Haggai 1:5 & 7 states, “Give careful thought to your ways”)
- exhort Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people to focus on the rebuilding of the temple
- assure the presence of God with His people at all times (Haggai 1:13)
The Contents of the Book
The major theme of the book is the rebuilding of the temple of God. Prophet Haggai received four messages from God and he delivered them to the leaders of Israel and the people regarding the rebuilding of the temple during the sixth (Haggai 1:1), seventh (Haggai 2:1), and ninth (Haggai 2:10 & 20) months of the second year of King Darius’ reign (c.520 BC). Each message began with the phrase – “The Word of the Lord…”
- The first message: An open rebuke regarding not building the Temple (Haggai 1:1-15)
- The time frame: the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius’ reign, that is, 1 Elul [Aug 29] 520 BC (1:1)
- People’s focus on building paneled houses for themselves while the house of God remains a ruin and the consequences (1:2-11). God repeatedly focused on saying, “Give careful thought to your ways” (1:5, 7)
- The leaders’ and people’s positive response to God’s invitation to rebuild the house of God (1:12-15)
- The second message: The present temple’s glory will be greater than the former one (Haggai 2:1-9)
- The time frame: the 21st day of the seventh month in the second year of King Darius’ reign, that is, 21 Tishri [October 17] 520 BC (2:1)
- The eye-witnesses of the former temple discouraged the builders of the Latter temple regarding the highest level of former temple’s glory (2:2-4)
- Prophet admonished the builders that the Latter temple’s glory will be greater than the former one (2:5-9)
- The third message: A call to holiness and obedience (Haggai 2:10-19)
- The time frame: the 24th day of the ninth month in the second year of King Darius’ reign, that is, 24 Kislev [December 18] 520 BC (2:10)
- Invitation for holy living and the blessings that will follow (2:11-19)
- The fourth message: A prophetic promise to Zerubbabel and the Messianic lineage (Haggai 2:20-23)
- The time frame: the 24th day of the ninth month in the second year of King Darius’ reign, that is, 24 Kislev [December 18] 520 BC (2:20)
- Judgement upon the Nations of the earth (2:21-22): God’s assurance is that the day is coming when God will destroy the earthly kingdoms and their powers to establish His Kingdom which will last forever
- It signifies the reign of Christ: Jesus Christ will begin His reign and His Kingdom will last forever and ever as mentioned in Revelation 19:1-21
- Promise to Zerubbabel: God’s promise to make Zerubbabel the signet ring of God – the official mark of supreme authority, which points to the promise regarding Jesus Christ, the supreme ruler of the universe, coming through the line of Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:23; Matthew 1:12-13; Luke 3:27)