Haggai

Haggai is the tenth of the twelve Minor Prophets and one of the most precisely dated books in the Bible: all four of its messages fall within about four months of the second year of Darius king of Persia (520 BC). The prophet Haggai, who gives the book its name, spoke to the Jews who had returned from exile in Babylon under Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest. Sixteen years earlier they had laid the foundation of a new temple, but opposition and discouragement had stalled the work, and the people had settled into building their own houses instead.

The book opens with a blunt rebuke: the people live in ceiled houses while the LORD's house lies waste, and their poor harvests and empty purses are the consequence. Twice Haggai calls them to 'Consider your ways.' Remarkably, they listen - within weeks Zerubbabel, Joshua, and all the remnant of the people obey and resume building. God then encourages those who remember Solomon's temple and think the new one is nothing: 'The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former.' A final word promises to make Zerubbabel like a signet ring, a token of the continuing line of David.

Haggai matters because it shows a prophet whose preaching actually worked, and worked fast. It teaches that putting God's house and God's priorities first is the path to blessing, that God's presence ('I am with you, saith the LORD') is greater than impressive buildings, and that discouragement over small beginnings is answered by God's promise of future glory.