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Haggai 1

15 verses

TL;DR

The prophet Haggai urges Judah’s leaders and people to rebuild the temple, warning of divine judgment for neglect and promising restoration if they obey.

Summary

In the second year of King Darius, the LORD speaks through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest. The people claim the time is not yet right for rebuilding the temple, and Haggai confronts them with vivid imagery of waste, poverty, and a wasted house. He commands them to go up the mountain, bring wood, and rebuild, assuring them that the LORD will be pleased. The LORD then declares a drought and famine as judgment for their neglect, yet he invites obedience, and the people, fearing before the LORD, obey. The Spirit of the LORD moves Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people to work on the temple by the twenty‑first day of the sixth month, marking the beginning of restoration.

Outline
  1. 1. Lord’s rebuke and call to rebuild the temple
  2. 2. Judgment through drought and famine
  3. 3. The Spirit empowers obedience and work on the temple
Themes
Divine judgment and mercyRebuilding the covenant communityThe power of the Spirit to inspire action
Keywords
LORDhostprophetZerubbabelJoshuadroughttempleSpiritobedience
People
HaggaiZerubbabelJoshuaShealtielJosedechDarius
Places
JudahJerusalem (implied by temple)the mountain
Things
LORD’s house (the temple)wood for buildingdroughtSpirit of the LORD
Key Verses
  • Haggai 1:1: Marks the beginning of the prophetic message to Judah
  • Haggai 1:4-5: Confronts the people’s excuses and urges them to act
  • Haggai 1:11-12: Shows divine judgment through drought as a consequence of inaction
  • Haggai 1:14-15: Demonstrates the Spirit’s empowerment of leaders and people to rebuild
Questions
  • What motivates the people of Judah to obey after witnessing divine judgment?
  • How does Haggai’s message connect the act of rebuilding with the well-being of the community?
  • In what ways does the Spirit’s empowerment in this chapter foreshadow later biblical themes?
  • What lessons about leadership and accountability can be drawn from Zerubbabel and Joshua’s response?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains stern warnings of judgment but also promises restoration and divine approval of obedience.