Title Haggai
Contents
[Old Testament Prophets] - Haggai
Haggai - the prophet who encouraged the rebuilding of the temple
1. Personal information
① Haggai means ‘festival’ or ‘pleasure’.
② It is estimated that he was born to a priestly family during the Babylonian captivity.
③ Returned to the first captivity centered on Zerubbabel (2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:1).
④ Ministry for 4 months from June to September 520 B.C. (Hag 1:1; 2:10).
2. Historical background
3. Major Life
before returning to Jerusalem
birth
Returned at the time of the first return of prisoners of war
B.C. 537 AD
Ezra 2:1-67
After returning to Jerusalem
Encouraging interrupted temple reconstruction work
B.C. 520 years
Crane 1:1-15
Haggai's Record
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Haggai 1:1-2:23
Temple Completion
B.C. 516
Ezra 6:15-18
death
4. character
① When the propaganda reconstruction work was being delayed because of the Samaritan sabotage and the internal infighting of the returned Jews, a person with determination and religious diligence ( Hag 1:12-15).
② A faithful person who gained respect and trust from the people because even the people who were in serious conflict and indolence willingly obeyed and followed Haggai's counsel (Haggai 1:12, 13).
③ A firm hope and courage for the future, given that the new temple gave them great strength by proclaiming the original function of the temple and the glory of God to come to the Jews who were disappointed when they saw that the new temple was smaller in size than Solomon’s temple. Those who possess (Haggai 2:1-9).
5. Redemption Historical Status
① The prophet who was called by God to awaken the Jewish leaders who were indifferent and indolent to the rebuilding of the temple and urge them to rebuild the temple as soon as possible (Hag 1:1-3).
② Between the Jewish people and God, a person who played the role of a mediator who communicated God's will for the rebuilding of the temple to the Jewish people and restored the close relationship between God and the Jewish people.
③ God's prophet (Haggai 2:20, 21) who was commissioned to announce God's commands to Zerubbabel (Haggai 1:1; 2:2,20), the then governor of Judea.
④ Among those who were taken captive to Babylon because of God's wrath against the rebellious tribe of Judah, those who were restored by faithfully maintaining the faith of Jehovah belong to the class of remnants.
⑤ It is a symbolic dwelling place that is the presence of God, and a person who has accomplished the reconstruction of the temple as a model (Ephesians 1:23) that symbolizes Jesus Christ in the New Testament era.
6. Evaluation and Lessons Learned
① The prophet Haggai was called by God at a very old age (Haggai 2:3). This shows that when God calls His ministers, He looks not at their human strength or talents, but only on their faithful and loyal hearts. Therefore, God's servants should never be overconfident in their own human abilities, and should only yearn for God's ability to empower the elderly, who are estimated to be 70-80 years old, to move the people of Israel to the rebuilding of the temple. And we must have the passion of Prophet Haggai, who dignifiedly proclaimed God's will to the people despite his age.
② Prophet Haggai pointed out that their top priority toward those who live in a 'walled house', that is, a splendid house with decorative carved plates attached to a house with complete walls and a roof, is to serve God :4). There are many wealthy people in our churches today. The rich are more likely to pursue worldly pleasures than the poor, and ministers must be more vigilant against them so that they do not fall into temptation because of their riches, so that they may glorify God more with their riches. We must help (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
③ When the prophet Haggai urged the people to rebuild the temple in the name of the Lord, their hearts were immediately excited (Haggai 1:14). This means that the spiritually darkened mind has been awakened and awakened.
However, even today's ministers should not neglect the practice of godliness and earnestly long for the power of the Lord so that they can awaken those who are spiritually indolent and darkened in heart.
7. Key scriptures
“The building of the house prospered because the elders of the Jews persuaded the prophet Haggai and Zechariah the grandson of Iddo” (Ezra 6:14).