Haggai’s prophecy is only two chapters, but it is full of encouragement from the Lord. In 536 B.C., Cyrus, after capturing Babylon, had issued a decree that any Jew who wanted could return to Jerusalem to live and rebuild the temple to God. Work on the temple was started but was stalled when the Jews insulted their neighbors (later known as Samaritans), and these neighbors did all they could to hinder the work.
In 520 B.C., two prophets showed up on the scene, Haggai and Zechariah. Their purpose was to get the temple rebuilding started again. For fifteen or sixteen years the temple lay dormant while the people rebuilt their house, worked their farms, and tried to get their economy going. But the economy was stagnant because the people were ignoring the rebuilding of the temple and their worship of God. The prophecy covered a four-month period.
- Outline:
- 1A. The challenge to rebuild and the enthusiastic response. Chapter 1
- 2A. The challenge to complete the work and the promise of economic blessing. Chapter 2
Key Verse:
“So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people.” Haggai 1:14 NLT.