Overview of the Book of Haggai
Author: The prophet Haggai.
Purpose:
To encourage the reconstruction of the Temple in hopes of bringing great blessings to Israel after the exile.
Date: 520 B.C. (Haggai's ministry)
As for Haggai's oracles, we learn from his book that they were delivered between August and December 520 B.C.
Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi together use the title "LORD Almighty" more than 90 times (14 times in Haggai). In Hebrew, it literally means "Lord of armies." The title's meaning has two aspects: It stresses the sovereign power of the Lord who reigns over Israel and the whole earth though his military power (1 Sam. 17:45) and emphasizes his faithfulness to his covenant people, which causes them to worship him (cf. Psa. 24).
Through his "messenger" (Hag. 1:13) Haggai, the Lord called upon the unfaithful remnant of his covenant people to repent and rebuild his Temple. God's concern was based upon his own sovereign pleasure and his desire to be honored (Hag. 1:8). The people's lack of desire to build the Temple revealed their deeper lack of desire for God's special presence. They were under the curses of the covenant (see notes on Hag. 1:6, 9, 11) but did not realize it. As a result of Haggai's ministry and of the prompting of God's Spirit (Hag. 1:14) they responded with obedience (Hag. 1:12).
Haggai reaffirmed that the Lord was with his people, just as he had been with them when he had brought them out of Egypt (Hag. 1:13; 2:4-5). Haggai's ministry was based on the expectation that God would renew his covenant promises to his people when he brought them back into the land. Haggai's words drew on those of earlier prophets at a number of points (see notes on Hag. 2:7-8). The rebuilding of the Temple was an important part of that renewal, and Haggai developed that hope by associating the Temple with the renewal of the house of David. Haggai affirmed the hope that as God's anointed representative on Earth, the great son of David, the Messiah, would bring his glory, peace and prosperity to God's people (Hag. 2:6-9). Zerubbabel prefigured the Messiah in Haggai's day and was the object of much hope for the nation. Ultimately, however, only Jesus the Messiah fulfills the promise made to Zerubbabel (Hag. 2:23) of being God's royal ruler ("signet ring") on Earth.
The restoration of David's line was also an essential part of God's blessing on the restored community. The Davidic line was to lead the people in battle and secure their prosperity. Jesus is the Messiah, the final and perfect son of David (Matt. 1:1; Luke 20:41-44; Rom. 1:3). After his death he established his Kingdom when he ascended to his throne in heaven (Acts 1:9-11). He now reigns until all of his enemies are subdued (1 Cor. 15:25-27; 1 Pet. 3:22). When he returns he will rule over the heavens and the earth (Heb. 2:8; Rev. 1:5). The Church is united with Christ in his enthronement (Rom. 8:37; 1 Pet. 5:10), so that one day those who overcome will reign with him.
Notes from the NIV Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible, Dr. Richard Pratt, ed. (Zondervan, 2003).Dr. Richard L. Pratt, Jr. is Co-Founder and President of Third Millennium Ministries who served as Professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and has authored numerous books.