Key word: Consider
The last three minor prophets’ prophecy to the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after being in Babylonian captivity for 70 years. The Jews who had returned under their governor Zerubbabel and high priest Joshua had as their immediate task to rebuild the temple. The less than 50,000 who returned laid the foundation of the temple but then got discouraged and stopped. Soon they became complacent and went about their daily lives totally forgetting about the temple for 14 years. This apathy toward the temple represented well their apathy toward God. The Lord sends two prophets to shake them up: Haggai and Zechariah. Over a period of 4 months, Haggai preached 4 messages with a central theme: consider (5x). Consider your ways (1:5, 7) and change was Haggai’s message.
They were happy to live in their paneled houses while the house of God, and the worship associated with it, lay in ruins (1:4). The result of the first prophecy was action – they started to build (1:12-15). But then two discouragements arose:
1) They realized this new temple did not compare with the first (2:3).
2) Fear (2:4) perhaps of the resistance of those enemies around them, or perhaps of the critics within them – or both. The message God sent was to take courage for the Lord was with them.
Two months later the Lord sends another message – about purity. Their lives should reflect the Holiness of God (2:10-19). A final message comes later that same day – it is a proof concerning God’s plans for their glorious future (2:20-23). Our key verse is applicable for all times and occasions.
Key verse: Haggai 2:4b – “Take courage, declares the Lord, and work; for I am with you.”
