The book of Haggai may be short, but it's packed with meaning. Haggai was a prophet used by God during a time when the people of Judah needed direction and encouragement. His message still speaks today.
1. Haggai Was a Post-Exilic Prophet
Haggai was one of the prophets who spoke after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon. This makes him a "post-exilic" prophet. His message came during a time when the people had returned to Jerusalem but had not rebuilt the temple.
Haggai 1:1 – “In the second year of King Darius… the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai…”
2. He Urged the People to Rebuild the Temple
The main message from Haggai was clear: rebuild the Lord’s temple. The people had started the project but stopped for about 16 years. Haggai reminded them that God’s house should be their priority.
Haggai 1:4 – “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
3. He Gave His First Message in 520 B.C.
Haggai's messages are dated very specifically. The first one came on the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius—around August 29, 520 B.C. (by modern calendars).
Haggai 1:1 gives this date with exact detail.
4. He Was a Contemporary of Zechariah
Haggai and Zechariah were both prophets at the same time. They worked together to encourage the people to rebuild the temple and obey God.
Ezra 5:1 – “Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah… prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem…”
5. The Book of Haggai Is the Second Shortest in the Old Testament
There are only two chapters in the book of Haggai. It is short but powerful. Only the book of Obadiah is shorter.
- Haggai: 2 chapters
- Obadiah: 1 chapter
6. Haggai’s Message Sparked Immediate Action
The people actually listened! Just 23 days after Haggai spoke, they began work on the temple again. This quick response was rare in the Bible.
Haggai 1:14 – “So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel… and they came and began to work on the house of the Lord…”
7. He Prophesied to Leaders by Name
Haggai didn’t just speak to the crowd. He addressed specific people: Zerubbabel the governor and Joshua the high priest. These leaders helped push the work forward.
Haggai 1:1 mentions both by name.
8. He Promised That God Would Bless Their Efforts
The people had faced drought and hardship because they neglected God’s house. Once they obeyed, Haggai assured them that God would bless their crops and work.
Haggai 2:19 – “From this day on I will bless you.”
9. He Spoke About the Glory of the Future Temple
Haggai told the people that the glory of the future temple would be greater than the first. This prophecy looks ahead to something greater than a building—possibly even pointing to the coming of Jesus.
Haggai 2:9 – “The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house…”
10. Haggai Gave Four Messages in Total
Even though his book is short, Haggai gave four different messages. Each one came on a specific day and had a different focus.
| Message | Date (520 B.C.) | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sixth month, first day | Rebuild the temple (Haggai 1:1–11) |
| #2 | Sixth month, twenty-fourth day | God is with you (Haggai 1:12–15) |
| #3 | Ninth month, twenty-fourth day | God’s blessing (Haggai 2:10–19) |
| #4 | Same day | Promise to Zerubbabel (Haggai 2:20–23) |
