哈該書 {ha1-gai1-shu1}
Old Testament – Minor Prophets
Trust your instinct on how to pronounce his name: [HA-gahy].
Haggai is a very short Book (2 chapters only) with a laser-focused purpose: directing the Israelites to resume the rebuilding of the 2nd Temple. Remember when King Cyrus of Persia sent the Israelite exiles back to rebuild the temple, then King Artaxerxes stopped them, and then King Darius gave them the go-ahead again? Haggai’s message happened during Darius’ time.
In the middle of that back and forth, people didn’t think it was an opportune time to rebuild the temple. So they started to get busy building their own lives while leaving the house of God desolate. Haggai’s message was meant to wake them up from their futile attempt for personal welfare and respond to God’s calling to serve. This calls forth what Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:33, “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”.
Aside from the instruction on what to do, Haggai also highlighted the leadership of Zerubbabel in leading this effort. Through Haggai, God assured His presence with them, promised to bless them, and encouraged them to trust in Him.
Rather than a book filled with judgment like other Prophet Books, Haggai reads like a coach’s half-time pep talk for his team. More importantly, it reminds us to examine how we spend our time and resources for ourselves and for God, and how He strengthens us beyond our natural capability and accompanies us every step along the way.