Prophets · Act IV
Haggai: Rebuild in the strength of God's presence
The LORD calls His returned people to rebuild His house, assures them of His presence and pledges greater glory and enduring rule.
Where Haggai sits
- In the story
- Act IV, Israel · Return, c. 538–430 BC
- In the Bible
- Old Testament · Prophets · book 37 of 66
- Before it in the story
- Ezra
- After it in the story
- Zechariah
The returned community lives under Persian rule while the Jerusalem temple remains unfinished. Haggai addresses Zerubbabel, Joshua and the people in Darius's second year.
Haggai summary
Haggai in context
- Written by
- Haggai, named repeatedly as the prophet through whom the LORD speaks.
- Written to
- The returned community in Judah, its governor Zerubbabel and high priest Joshua.
- Setting
- The returned community lives under Persian rule while the Jerusalem temple remains unfinished. Haggai addresses Zerubbabel, Joshua and the people in Darius's second year.
- When
- 520 BC; the four messages are dated within Darius's second year.
- Why
- To call the returned community to obedience in rebuilding the temple and encourage them through God's presence, promised blessing and coming kingdom.
Themes of Haggai
- Obedience sustained by presence
- Greater glory and enduring rule
Key verses in Haggai
Haggai 1:8
Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD.
Haggai 2:4–5
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts. This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you; do not be afraid.”
Haggai chapter by chapter
Part 1 · The people return to the work 1
- 1Haggai 1: The neglected house and the people's response
The LORD exposes misplaced priorities, then assures and stirs His people as they return to rebuilding His house.
Part 2 · God promises presence and glory 2
- 2Haggai 2: God's presence gives the builders hope
The LORD promises glory and peace, calls for purity and confirms His chosen servant as kingdoms fall.
Plus What TheoMaps holds for Haggai
- How Haggai points to Christ
- What each of its 2 themes means, with its verses
- How the New Testament uses it: 1 quotation and echo
TheoMaps Plus opens every book the way Genesis is open, on the map, with Challenges to help you remember it.