37 - Haggai
TLDR: After the return, the temple lies in ruins. Haggai urges Zerubbabel and Joshua to rebuild: "Is it a time for you to dwell in paneled houses while this house remains a ruin?" They obey; God promises glory and blessing.
Overarching Storyline
First message: build the house (ch. 1). Second: the latter glory will be greater (ch. 2:1–9). Third: holiness and blessing (ch. 2:10–19). Fourth: Zerubbabel as signet (ch. 2:20–23).
Bible Project: Haggai overview.
Pegs for Memorizing This Book
- Person: Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua (high priest).
- Image: Ruined temple, silver and gold, signet ring.
- Number: 2 (chapters), 4 (oracles).
- Phrase: "Consider your ways" (1:5, 7); "The latter glory of this house will be greater" (2:9).
Highlights
- Haggai 1:4 — Is it a time for you to dwell in paneled houses while this house remains a ruin?
- Haggai 1:5 — Consider your ways.
- Haggai 2:9 — The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former.
(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)
Before and After
- Before: Zephaniah; Haggai speaks in 520 BC, after the return.
- After: Zechariah; both urge rebuilding; Haggai is short and direct.
Place in the Overarching Biblical Story
Rebuild the temple. God's people are back in the land; priority is worship. The "latter glory" (2:9) is often read as pointing to the church or the coming Messiah.
Interesting Facts
- 520 BC — Dated messages (second year of Darius); same period as Zechariah and the events in Ezra.
- Zerubbabel — Governor; signet in 2:23 — God's chosen leader in the restoration.