Haggai 1:1-2

Historical Context

This is not the same Darius of Nehemiah or Daniel, but rather in between Daniel and Nehemiah

Haggai was written at a time in which (very unusually) the book is dated by a foreign king’s reign

Thus signifying the degree to which Judah had lost a sense of self-identity

The tearing down of the exile was nearing the end, and it was time for Judah to rebuild

The course of the book covers roughly 3.5 months, showing the transition from complete apathy to fervent service!

Origin of the message is not Haggai, but God -> Haggai is merely a messenger of divine prophecy

Recipients of the message are specifically two individuals, and through them the former nation of Judah

Zerubbabel (“seed of Babylon”) the son of Shealtiel (“I have asked God”), governor of Judah -> the political leader of Judah

It is likely that Zerubbabel was born in captivity and his father was not, and we see the trend of hopelessness caused by the exile

Zerubbabel was of the former royal family, a descendant of Jehoiachin

Zerubbabel was the leader of Judah, serving under the Persians, and any return to God needed God’s people’s leaders on board

Joshua the son of Josedech who was the high priest, the religious leader of Judah

Joshua was of the line of Aaron, also signifying the return to pre-exilic Judah (1 Chron. 6:3, 14–15)

We are shown a return to the pre-exile days of Judah, signifying the spiritual return to God and end of punishment

It came shortly after Ezra, and is a continuation of the work on the temple

The Excuse

“This people” instead of “my people” is a very telling introduction -> God wasn’t happy!

The confidence with which Judah spoke concerning the rebuilding of the temple is scary

“It’s not time” signifies a repeated attitude and excuse that comes from previous friction with trying to complete the project

Furthermore, they struggled to maintain any resources (money, food, etc.) -> these were hard times and building is expensive

They tried 15 years prior and it was difficult + times were hard -> “I guess it’s just not meant to be”

Furthermore, they were patting themselves on the back for getting the foundation done

Whatever the reason or reasons Judah thought the timing to be wrong, they were poor excuses and incorrect

We too often find every reason to not work when God demand faith enough to start the work regardless of friction or circumstance!

As we will come to see, the time to start working is now -> instead of looking around, God demands we look up!

He introduces Himself as “the Lord of Hosts” that we may have confidence and fear