Read Haggai Chapters 1-2

The Prophet Haggai [“my festivals”] was a prophet of God for the people returning from their exile in Babylon in the years 521-510sBC and was focused on commanding and energizing the people to rebuild Jerusalem and the temple of God.

Haggai spoke of a revival and rebuilding among God’s people who would obey God and lay the foundation of His Kingdom which would give peace. Haggai is speaking of rebuilding actual physical buildings but is also looking to a spiritual kingdom being built for God.

Haggai wrote during the turbulent time as Persia took control of the world stage from Babylon.  This was a shift in political power that would have impacted all smaller people groups.  Amidst this shift, exiles returned home to Judah and Jerusalem. The temple reconstruction as well as Jerusalem’s reconstruction did not go smoothly and Zerubbabel, the governor, was under stress and pressure.

In Haggai 2:6-9, the prophet shares the word of the Lord that: “Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land” (verse 6).  In prophetic metaphor, the shaking of “heavens” etc often means tumult in nations and this is reflected in verse 7 which states: “I will shake all nations.”  In the midst of this shaking, Haggai shares God’s promise that His house will be filled with joy (verse 7), gold and silver belong to God (verse 8), the glory of God’s House will be greater than ever (verse 9) and He will give peace (verse 9). 

In addition, in Haggai 2:20-23, God shares that He has chosen Zerubbabel to be His “signet ring” (verse 23) amongst the terrible words He uses to describe what is happening among the nations: “shake” (verse 21), “overturn” (verse 22), “shatter” (verse 22), “overthrow” (verse 22), “fall” (verse 23), and “sword” (verse 22). 

God promises stability and leadership.

God’s character comes through the two chapters of Haggai as God encourages the “remnant” of His people to obedience and as He encourages a descendant of King David to trust that God has his back. What God declares God does.

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