Haggai 1:1-15
Q.1. With whom did Haggai team up? What was the theme of his message to the returnees? How did he support his challenge to the people of Judah? – (Hag.1:1-6)
The prophets, Haggai, and Zechariah, teamed up with the governor Zerubbabel, and the High Priest Joshua. This was to refocus on rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem (Hag.1:1 c.f. Ezra 5:1-2; Zech.3:6-7; 4:8-10). Haggai questioned the reluctance of Judah to rebuild the temple, in favour of focusing on their own dwellings – Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your panelled houses while this house lies desolate? (Hag.1:4). God called on the people to consider their ways. He pointed out with illustration readily understood, the pointlessness of their efforts – You have sown much, but harvest little; you eat, but there is not enough to be satisfied; you drink, but there is not enough to become drunk; you put on clothing, but no one is warm enough; and he who earns, earns wages to put into a purse with holes (Hag.1:6).
Q.2. What were the people to do? How were they to change their priorities? What would be the consequences for ignoring God’s plea? –(Hag.1:7-11)
Haggai again challenged the leaders and the people to consider their ways (Hag.1:7). They were to go to the mountains, to bring timber back to build God’s house (Hag.1:8-9). He warned – 9 “You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?” declares the Lord of hosts, “Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the sky has withheld its dew and the earth has withheld its produce (Hag.1:9-10).
Q.3. Who was responsible for giving the message to the people? With what attitude did the people respond? How did the change come about? – (Hag.1:12-15)
From the leaders to the people, all accepted the words of the prophets as the words of God – Then Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. The people showed reverence for the Lord (Hag.1:12). Haggai added the promise from God – … `I am with you,’ declares the Lord (Hag.1:13). God proved this, and it is recorded that – the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God (Hag.1:14).