Introduction

• Second shortest book in OT after Obadiah(21V/669) -

• Haggai 2 chapters -15 & 23Vs each(38V/1130);

• Shortest Book in NT 2Jn(13V/301), 3Jn(14V/294), Jude(25V/608)

• Shortest Psalm 117 – Psalms are not chapters.

• So appropriate to say Psalm Number instead of Psalm chapter.

2. No of Prophets in OT 16; Prophetic books 17; Lamentations – Jeremiah.

• Prophets divided into 3: Pre exilic 10; Exilic 3 (Ezk, Dan, Obd); Post exilic

3 (Hag, Zech & Mal)

Among Post exilic Haggai & Zechariah were contemporaries.

Zech 1:1 In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto

Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet

Malachi after about 100 years

Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther were also of the post-exilic period.

3. Haggai means ‘my feast / festive:

probably . born at the time of celebrating a ‘feast of Jehovah’.

• Haggai’s prophetical ministry begins on first day of the month (Hag 1:1)

1st day of month - a day when the trumpet is blown. Num 10:10.

“Num 10:10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your

months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace

offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.”

• How old was Haggai – We do not know exactly – Ch2:2 refers to the old

temple - Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in

your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? If so > 70 yrs

• When did he come to Jerusalem – We do not know precisely. 3 diff group

• 1) Zerubabbel 2) Ezra 3) Nehemiah – Prob Zeru because Jeshua is

mentioned

• 4. Haggai nor his ancestors are not known at all apart from this book and the reference made by Ezra 5:1; 6:14;

• Ezra 5:1 Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.

• Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews built and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and

Zechariah the son of Iddo….

• Very little is known about Haggai - Yet the ministry of Haggai was so important & so instrumental in building the house of God.

Often we think - great speaker/ well known speaker - effective.

Moses 1st 40 yrs – Thought he was SOMEBODY; 2nd 40 Yr – Learnt he was NOBODY

3rd 40 Yr experienced God is EVERYBODY.

Paul a learned man – doctrate, many things to boast - considered all as dung.

• Period of Ministry: < 4 months – Hag1:1- 1st day of 6 month –

• Hag 2:20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, V 10 In the

four and twentieth day of the ninth month 24th day of 9th month

• Small messenger, Short message, Short period, Successful ministry.

• 5. Very small book yet full of: Words of reproofs, corrections instruction and

comfort.

• 2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for

correction, for instruction in righteousness.

• 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

• This is what reading of scriptures should do to us.

This should be the desire of every believer – Every time we read – we need to

analyze –

is there anything in this portion that rebukes me – anything I need to correct –

instruction as what I should do or not do

6. Haggai is most precisely dated book, with the dates of each sermon given

to the exact date.

Hag 1:1 In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word

of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua

the son of Josedech, the high priest

Hag 2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by

the prophet Haggai, saying, V2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to

Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people

Hag 2:10 In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the

LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, V 11 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning

• Hag 2:20 And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month,

saying, V21 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah

7 Divisions - based on 4(5) messages starting with:

• The date of prophesy and

• The phrase ‘… came, the word of the Lord’. (a)1:1-15; (b) 2:1-9 (c) 2:10-19

(d) 2:20-23.

PAST BACKGROUND

• The period before returned to Jerusalem

1 Divine Intervention

2 Devil’s Intervention

• In every believers life there are 2 forces that is at work.

Satan is constantly at work to make a believer fall, backslide, become lethargic

etc.

But the Spirit of God is constantly at work to keep a believer in faith, in hope & in

love

Book of Haggai teaches us that at times God has to Discipline us in order

for make us fit to bear fruit for Him.