HAGGAI 2

HAGGAI CHALLENGES THE INTENTIONS OF THE ISRAELITES 

Haggai challenges the leaders of Israel to resume construction on the temple. Sharing God’s words, Haggai tells the Israelites that God is with them and to remember all that God has provided for them.

Some of the older Israelites remember the splendor of Solomon’s first temple. Naturally, they were disappointed with the slow progress and doubtful of the future temple’s potential. Despite their lack of resources and their sinful nature, God has more in store for the Israelites than they can imagine. God tells the people that the beauty and splendor of this new temple will be even greater than the previous temple built by Solomon. Not only does God restore, He upgrades!

God gives Haggai a message to share regarding cleanliness and purity. In this example, Haggai explains that if meat that is set apart for a holy sacrifice touches bread or wine by accident, those items do not also become holy. The holiness or set-apartness of the bread cannot be spread by touch. But if someone touches something contaminated then touches the meat, the meat will become contaminated. Haggai’s example shows how sin comes naturally, but holiness takes intentionality.

Continuing this analogy, Haggai confronts the nation, saying the Israelites are contaminated with selfishness and apathy. Haggai questions how the Israelites can do the holy work of building the temple while their hearts are tarnished towards God.

Haggai proclaims that God has chosen Zerubbabel, a local leader, as the authority figure appointed over the temple construction. The story of Zerubbabel and the rebuilding of the temple is continued in Ezra and Nehemiah.