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The Prophetic book of Haggai

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Author: --- Background & Theme --- dated at:
Haggai, his name means: Festive Haggai prophesied to Israel after their return from captivity. Haggai's ministry and the rebuilding of the temple is mentioned in the book of Ezra 5:1-6. His ministry was short approximately four months and was primarily to get the people to start the building of the temple of the LORD and to give encouragement.
two chapters
around
520 BC.
line

Verse by verse, account of the book of Haggai.

Haggai: chapter 1

1On the first day, the sixth month of the second year, during the reign of king Darius, (ruler of Persia). The Word of the LORD came to the prophet Haggai for Zerubbabel, (the governor of Judah) and to Joshua, (the high priest). 2Saying; Thus says the Lord; The people say, the time has not yet come that we should build a temple for the LORD. 3And Haggai further spoke the Word of the LORD. 4But, you yourselves dwell in finished homes and you leave the temple of the LORD lying in ruins. 5Therefore consider your ways!

6You have sown much but have reaped little, you eat but do not have enough, you drink but are not filled, your clothes yourself but are not warmed and he who earns wages puts them in a bag with holes in it. 7Thus says the LORD; Consider your ways! 8Go up the mountain and gather wood for the temple and built it, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified. 9For you have looked for much but it has come to little, even what little you have brought home, I blew away and you ask Me why? I tell you, it is because My house remains in ruins, while each of you go to your finished homes. 10Therefore the heavens withhold their rain and the earth withholds its fruit from you. 11For I have called for a drought on the land even up to the mountains and the grain, the wine, the oil and whatever the ground brings forth. Also, on your livestock and the labor of your own hands.

12Then Zerubbabel, (the governor of Judah) and Joshua, (the high priest) and the remnant of the people obeyed and feared the voice of the LORD and did what the prophet Haggai spoke, believing that the LORD had spoken through him. 13Then the LORD spoke through Haggai, saying to the people; I am with you. 14So the LORD stirred up Zerubbabel, Joshua and the spirit within all His people. And they came together to begin work on the temple of the LORD their God, 15twenty-three days after hearing the Word of the LORD from Haggai.

Haggai: chapter 2

1Twenty-seven days after the work had begun on the temple, the Word of the LORD came to Haggai, saying; 2Speak to Zerubbabel, to Joshua and to the remnant of people, saying; 3Who among you remembers the temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? Is it not in your own eyes as nothing? 4Yet be strong, Zerubbabel, Joshua and all the people and work for the LORD, for I am with you. 5Do not fear for My Spirit remains with you, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. 6Once more, (in a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and the dry land. 7I will shake all nations and then their desire shall be for the LORD and My temple shall be filled with glory. 8The silver and the gold are Mine. 9The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former and in this place shall I give peace.

10Sixty-three days later, the Word of the LORD came to Haggai, saying. 11Thus say the LORD; Ask the priests concerning the law. 12If one carries holy and blessed meat and it should touch any other food, bread, wine or oil, will it also become holy? The priests answered, No. 13At that Haggai said; If one who is unclean because of a dead body and touches any of these, will it become unclean? And the priests answered, yes. 14Haggai then spoke according to the LORD; So are these people and this nation before Me, says the LORD. Every work of their hand that they offer Me is unclean!

15Now, carefully consider, that in the days before you began construction on the temple. 16Since those days, When you came to expect a twenty bushel crop you had but only ten, when you expected fifty gallons of wine, there were only twenty. 17For the LORD struck you with need and want but, you would not return to Him. 18Consider, from this day forward, from the day when the foundation of the temple was laid. 19Even though work on the temple is yet in progress and there is not yet any fruit to speak of. From this day on, I will bless you.

20On the same day, the Word of God again came to Haggai, saying; 21Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah saying; I will shake heaven and earth. 22I will overthrow kingdoms and destroy the strength of the gentile nations. Overthrowing both chariot and rider, each one by the sword of his own brother. 23In that day, I will take Zerubbabel for My servant and will make you as a signet ring, for I have chosen you, says the LORD.