August 23, 2025 - Haggai 1-3

I’ve done this before and, in fact, it might not be a bad thing to do with each prophet, just to set his ministry in historical context.  For Haggai . . .

Time line:

586 B.C. – Jerusalem destroyed and most of its citizens taken to Babylon

538 B.C. – Persia overcomes Babylon, and Cyrus issues his decree allowing the Jews to return home

535 B.C. – The first Jews head back home under Shesbazzar

520 B.C. – The people lay the foundation for the rebuilt temple, but become discouraged and quit.

The prophet posed this question:  “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?” (1:4)  Eventually, the people heeded his preaching:  “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him.  And the people feared the Lord.  Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people with the Lord’s message, ‘I am with you, declares the Lord’” (1:12,13).

Sometimes, when we become discouraged, or just tired, we need another to come along and encourage and strengthen us for the task.  And, to remind us that our God is with us and blesses us and fights for us.  Haggai was that man for that moment, a moment of renewed commitment and obedience to God.

Restore in us, O God,

     the splendor of your love;

renew your image in our hearts,

     and all our sins remove.

O Spirit, wake in us

     the wonder of your power;

from fruitless fear unfurl our lives

     like springtime bud and flower.   -- Carl P. Daw, Jr. (1989)