Haggai 01
Haggai 01:1 On the first day of the sixth month of King Darius’ second year, the Lord spoke this message through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak:
Haggai means “festive one.” King Darius was the king of the Medes and Persians. The Lord gave Haggai a prophetic word n 529 B.C. The sixth month was Elul, which was the New Moon Festival. Haggai was the festive one who gave a prophetic message on the New Moon Festival.
This prophetic message was given to Zerubbabel and Joshua. Zerubbabel was the civil governor, appointed by the Medo-Persian government. Zerubbabel means “the seed of Babylon,” meaning that he was born in Babylon during the Babylon Captivity. He was a member of the royal house of Judah. Matthew mentioned him in the genealogical line of Joseph.
Joshua was the high priest of Israel. Joshua is another name for Jesus, meaning Jehovah saves. His father was Jehozadak, meaning Jehovah is righteous. Jehozadak was transported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. He was the grandson of Seraiah, who was killed by Nebuchadnezzar at the destruction of the Jewish temple.
2 The Lord who rules over all says this: “These people have said, ‘The time for rebuilding the Lord’s temple has not yet come.’ ”
The temple pointed to the future atonement of Christ. It was a daily object lesson that Israel was a bunch of sinners and they needed a holy and perfect substitute to spill His blood to atone for their sins. Israel’s excuse was that they were too busy to build the temple at this time.
This is the same excuse which modern Christians make today. Most Christians are “too busy” to study the Bible on a daily basis. What can be more important than studying God’s Word.
3 So the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai as follows:
Jehovah was going to correct this problem through His prophet Haggai.
4 “Is it right for you to live in richly paneled houses while my temple is in ruins?
The Hebrew word for “richly paneled” is סָפַן (sapan). This was expensive and beautiful wood which was used to build the temple and the palaces of kings. The Jews were apparently taking the wood which was meant for the temple and building their own houses with this wood.
God’s point was that the Jews were too materialistic. They valued the beauty of their own home over the object lesson of the blood atonement of Christ.
5 Here then is what the Lord who rules over all says: ‘Think carefully about what you are doing.
The temple building had been neglected for fifteen years. God asked His people to meditate on this decision which they had made.
6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but are never filled. You drink, but are still thirsty. You put on clothes, but are not warm. Those who earn wages end up with holes in their money bags.’ ”
The Jews had not kept the Mosaic Law, so they had not prospered. Often, prosperity teachers will use this verse to teach that Christians must give more money so that they can prosper financially. This is completely unbiblical. The Mosaic Law ended at the atonement of Christ. Believers today are to give because they love God, not to prosper materially. Prosperity teachers are teaching their members to bribe God so that He can make them rich. The modern Christian is called to suffer, not prosper materially.
7 “Moreover, the Lord who rules over all says: ‘Pay close attention to these things also.
God asked the Jews to think and meditate deeply about their spiritual condition.
8 Go up to the hill country and bring back timber to build the temple. Then I will be pleased and honored,’ says the Lord.
God commanded the Jews to go into the hill country and bring back some timber to build the temple. The cutting down trees and hauling the timber back to Jerusalem would take some work and organization.
9 ‘You expected a large harvest, but instead there was little, and when you brought it home it disappeared right away. Why?’ asks the Lord who rules over all. ‘Because my temple remains in ruins, thanks to each of you favoring his own house!
This was a fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:24.
10 This is why the sky has held back its dew and the earth its produce.
This was a fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:33.
11 Moreover, I have called for a drought that will affect the fields, the hill country, the grain, new wine, fresh olive oil, and everything that grows from the ground; it also will harm people, animals, and everything they produce.’ ”
This was a fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:51.
12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, along with the whole remnant of the people, obeyed the Lord their God. They responded favorably to the message of the prophet Haggai, who spoke just as the Lord their God had instructed him, and the people began to respect the Lord.
The leaders led the remnant in the rebuilding of the temple. During this time period, the remnant was the small number of Jews who returned to Babylon after their captivity. Some were believers and some were not.
13 Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s word to the people: “I am with you!” says the Lord.
Jehovah encouraged the people. If God is with a group who is following His will, then that group will succeed.
14 So the Lord energized and encouraged Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the whole remnant of the people. They came and worked on the temple of their God, the Lord who rules over all.
The Hebrew word for “energized” is עוּר (ur), meaning to arouse or awaken. Jehovah awakened and roused the רוּחַ֩ (ruach), or the spirit of Zerubbabel and Joshua to complete this work. God knew that Israel needed this object lesson more than they did their new paneled homes.
15 This took place on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of King Darius’ second year.
The Jews responded to the prophet’s messages 23 days later.