Sabbath, March 22 – Haggai 1, 2 – Additional Reading, Prophets and Kings, Chapter 46 “The Prophets of God Helping Them”

1. What did the message of the prophet Haggai do for the leaders and the people?

2. Where does Haggai place the work of God? (Haggai 1:4-6)

3. Why would the glory of the second temple be greater? (Haggai 2:6-7)

Amidst continuous opposition from God’s enemies and discouragement caused by countless difficulties, the great prophet Haggai lifted the downcast spirits of the leaders and the people of God, motivating them to accomplish great things.

He exhorted them to resume the temple’s reconstruction, for it should no longer remain in ruins. Instead, its rebuilding must resume immediately. Haggai assured the leaders and the people that they would not be alone—the Lord would be with them to help them fulfill their calling.

Even though they were discouraged and pessimistic, saying that the time had not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord, Haggai delivered a message of admonition, urging them to have faith and take action.

The leaders and the people received a powerful message from God’s prophet. They could not wait any longer; the time had come to do the work. His message was electrifying, filled with the Spirit of God. He commanded them to act urgently and obey the Lord’s will without hesitation.

The prophet boldly exposed the false yet prevalent belief that God’s work is secondary and that economic matters should be addressed first.
The work of God must always be the priority. Blessings cannot be expected when the Lord’s work is neglected in favor of personal interests.

In those days, many prioritized their personal interests, such as building paneled houses, while neglecting the construction of the house of God. It was no surprise that despite all their efforts, blessings were lacking.
“You have sown much, and bring in little.” (Haggai 1:6)

Here lies an important lesson for God’s people and leaders of all generations.

When the leaders and people finally responded to Haggai’s call, he assured them they would receive God’s help. He encouraged them and promised improvements in their material circumstances now that they had fulfilled God’s will and work.

His message confirmed the divine selection of Governor Zerubbabel.
The elderly who had seen Solomon’s temple wept as they lamented that the glory of the second temple was materially inferior. However, Haggai revealed an astonishing prophecy, declaring: “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts.” (Haggai 2:6-7)

“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,” says the Lord of hosts. (Haggai 2:9)

This prophecy was fulfilled by the glorious presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the second temple, which was rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later renovated during Herod the Great’s reign.

This second temple was honored by the living presence of the One in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily: “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” (Colossians 2:9)

Haggai’s prophecy, which belongs to the post-exilic period, called for leaders and people to resume the temple reconstruction after 16 years of delays and interruptions.

He assured them of God’s guidance and blessings despite all obstacles. His message received a more favorable and prompt response from the leaders and the people than that of any other prophet.

The house of the Lord was completed in a remarkably short time, thanks to the spirit of cooperation among the Israelites.

The same spirit of unity and commitment in our days will lead to the completion of the spiritual house of God and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

May the blessing of the Almighty be with each of you, now and always.