The prophet Haggai recorded his messages to the Jewish people of Jerusalem in 520
BC, eighteen years after their return from exile in Babylon (538 BC). He was actively urging to proceed with the building
of the second temple of Jerusalem. Because his name means “festal one”, it is
suggested that Haggai was born on a feast day. Haggai and Zechariah were
contemporaries.
The book of Haggai focuses on the house of God. It has
two chapters where the first chapter gives a call to rebuild the House of
Adonai, the Second Chapter talks about the Glory of this Latter House.
The first chapter starts with complain of Adonai against
the returning exiled Jewish People who are busy making their own paneled
houses, but ignoring rebuilding of the house of God. Due to this, they are not able to receive blessings in their work. They sow but get little, eat but never satisfied,
drink but never get filled, put clothes but no one is warm and earns wages
from their works but still lacks for they keep in a bag full of holes.
Adonai has given the commandments to mankind since its creation, but they are lacking the blessings due to
disobedience. They are in the condition of distress and ruin due to disobedience in
their life. Adonai is giving them a call to first focus on rebuilding the House
of God so that they can receive Adonai’s blessings and they may prosper in
their works.
On-call of the Prophet Haggai, the remnant of Jewish
people heeded the voice of Adonai their God and revered HIM. Then Haggai, the messenger of Adonai, spoke to
the people that Adonai says: I AM with you—it’s a declaration of Adonai.
They gathered together under Zerubbabel son of
Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and started working to rebuild the house of
Adonai on the 24th day of the sixth month, in the second year of
king Darius.
The second Chapter describes the promise of
Adonai to bless on obediently fulfilling the work of rebuilding the House of
God. Haggai delivers the message of
Adonai to Zerubbabel and Joshua- be courageous, and work! I am with you.
Adonai is with you as HE was with Moses who led Israelites from the captivity of
four generations from Egypt. Ruach ha-Kadesh (Holy Spirit) is standing in your
midst. Do Not Fear!
The judgment of Adonai will be released upon all
nations at his appointed time. All the treasures of nations will come and will
fill this house with glory says Adonai. The glory of this latter house will be
greater than former and I will grant you SHALOM in this place.
Later the message comes for the Priest from
Adonai as a proverb- If a person carries consecrated meat in the corner of his
garment and with his corner, he touches the bread, stew, wine, oil, or any food
it will become holy too? The Priest answered and said, “No”
“Then Haggai said, “If someone who is
unclean by contact with a dead body touches any of these, does it become
unclean?” The priests answered and said, “It does become unclean.” (Haggai 2:13)
Similarly, if the people have uncleanness in
their hearts towards Adonai, their work of halfhearted obeying the rebuilding of the house of Adonai will be unclean. Adonai is calling to set heart back from
this day – from the 24th day of the ninth month. From this day -Full obedience
in rebuilding the House of Adonai will lead to blessings.
In the closing verses of the chapter- Zerubbabel is
chosen as a Signet (small seal) in verses 20 to 23. On the day of Adonai,
Heaven and Earth will be shaken, overturn the throne, and kingdoms of the
nations. It is also found in as mentioned in Revelation 19:17-20.
As an
Individual, after the resurrection and ascension of Lord Yeshua our Messiah, we
need to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so that we may become the temple of
Holy Spirit as written in 1 Corinthians chapter 6: verse 19.
Our duty
is to remember what is mentioned in Romans chapter 12: verse 1- I urge you, therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to
present your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy, acceptable to God—which is your
spiritual service.
Build the House of Adonai
Adonai Lord Yeshua our Messiah is coming
Soon!
By: Dr. Shine David
