1. THE MEASURE OF ALL THINGS MESSIANIC
HAGGAI 2:1-9, 20-23

2. How many Jewish temples have been built on the temple mount in Jerusalem?1 2 3 4 5

3. In what year was the temple built by Solomon destroyed by the Babylonians?
721 BC
601 BC
586 BC
70 AD
1948 AD

4. TEMPLE IN HISTORY 970 BC First temple dedicated by Solomon 586 BC
First temple destroyed by the Babylonians (9th of Av, July-August)
516 BC
Second temple dedicated by Zerubbabel
70 AD
Second temple destroyed by the Romans (9th of Av, July-August)

5. TEMPLE IN PROPHESY 70 AD-2017 AD No Temple
(?) AD Third Temple dedicated by Antichrist
(?) AD Third Temple destroyed at the Second coming of Christ
(?) AD Messianic (Ezekiel 40-48) Temple dedicated by Christ

6. A very interesting fact concerning the building of Solomon’s temple was there was no noise of the construction. The material was prepared before it was brought to the building site.

7. The house, while it was being built, was built of stone prepared at the quarry, and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool heard in the house while it was being built.

8. The Bible’s description of Solomon’s temple suggests that the inside ceiling was 180 feet long, 90 feet wide, and 50 feet high.

9. The highest point on the temple that King Solomon built was actually 120 cubits tall (about 20 stories or about 207 feet).  

11. HAGGAI THEME
The temple rebuild project under Zerubbabel and Joshua, no matter how meager the structure, furthered the messianic purposes of God.

12. This required the diligence and perseverance of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people under their care and authority in completing the temple rebuild project assigned to them.

13. 2:1-9 is addressed to Zerubbabel (the Davidic representative in Jerusalem), Joshua (the Aaronic representative in Jerusalem), and the remnant of the people (the Jerusalem returnees from the exile). G.

14. 2:10-19 is addressed to the PRIESTS who oversaw the temple worship
2:10-19 is addressed to the PRIESTS who oversaw the temple worship. 2:20-23 is addressed to Zerubbabel who represented the Davidic line of KINGS. G.

15. 2:1
The second Haggai message reported in 2:1-9 is received and delivered on the 21st day of the SEVENTH MONTH (Tishri) and on the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)
October 17, 520 BC

17. FEAST OF TABERNACLES (BOOTHS) 
The Feast of Tabernacles was observed as a memorial of the wilderness wanderings when the presence of God traveled with Israel in the Tabernacle (tent of meeting).

18. FEAST OF TABERNACLES (BOOTHS) 
Solomon built the temple after the pattern of the Tabernacle and had it dedicated in conjunction with the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths).

19. FEAST OF TABERNACLES (BOOTHS) The prayer of Solomon in 1 Kings 8 and the response of the Lord to the prayer of Solomon in 1 Kings 9 puts the temple rebuild project in Biblical perspective. 1 Kings 8:1-21, 22, 30-40, Kings 9:1-9

20. At the dedication of the original temple, TWO THINGS are emphasized that are important to understanding the prophetic messages of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi and consequently the ministry of Jesus in the NT.  

21. The LORD established Jerusalem and the Temple as the place of His Presence on earth.
The LORD established the Davidic line of kings as the Rulers over His people Israel.
1 Kings 8:1-21, 22, 30-40, 46-53
1 Kings 9:1-9

22. 2:2
The 2:1-9 message is addressed to Zerubbabel (the Davidic representative in Jerusalem), Joshua (the Aaronic representative in Jerusalem), and the remnant of the people (the Jerusalem returnees from the exile). G.

23. 2:3
Three rhetorical questions are employed to highlight the reason why the work on the temple-rebuild project had stopped.

24. 2:3
Who among the returnees saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it nothing in your eyes (in comparison)?

25. 2:3
To the natural eye the temple-rebuild project seemed insignificant and not very impressive. They were tempted to say, what’s the use anyway.

26. 2:4-5
The LORD reaffirms the temple-rebuild project and encourages Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the Jerusalem remnant to continue on in their work for the LORD.

27. 2:4-5
He encourages them to be courageous and unafraid in the opposition and trouble associated with the work God gave them to do.

28. 2:4-5
The LORD tells them to remain strong and vigilant in the work.
He assures them that His presence and the provision of His Spirit will enable them to complete the work.

29. 2:6-9
The LORD promised that one day the TEMPLE in Jerusalem will exceed the glory of former TEMPLE built by Solomon.

30. 2:6-9
This will happen when the LORD “shakes all nations” so that the “treasures of all nations” pour into Jerusalem and the TEMPLE.

31. 2:6-9
This TEMPLE will then be the MESSIANIC TEMPLE wherein the LORD fills it with His GLORY.
The MESSIANIC TEMPLE and Jerusalem will at that time truly be the place of PEACE on earth.

32. 2:20-21
The LORD repeats the promise to Zerubbabel (but not to Joshua or the Jerusalem returnees) of the Lord plan to “shake the heavens and the earth” to “overthrow the throne of kingdoms.”

33. This promise to Zerubbabel must be understood messianically, for the Persians simply would not tolerate a man laying claim to the promises here stated. Zerubbabel was no more the Messiah than Moses, Joshua, David, Solomon, or Isaiah. But Zerubbabel was in the genealogy of Christ (cf. Matt 1:12–13).
Robert L. Alden, Haggai, in The Expositors Bible Commentary: Daniel and the Minor Prophets, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 7 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1986), 591.

34. 2:22
The Lord explained that this will bring about the catastrophic destruction of the power and armies of the “kingdoms of the nations” (Gentiles).

35. 2:23
The LORD further explained that the Lord will eventually install ONE in the line of David to fulfill the promise “for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of hosts.”

36. 2:20-23
In ancient times the signet ring corresponded to the crown, the throne, or the scepter…. So Zerubbabel represents the resumption of the messianic line interrupted by the Exile….
Robert L. Alden, “Haggai”, 591.

37. 2:20-23
So the Book of Haggai, which began on such a discouraging and depressing note, ends on an uplifting and promising one…. As we now know, that future was much further away than either Haggai or Zerubbabel thought. But in the mind of God, it is as close and certain as tomorrow’s rising sun.
Robert L. Alden, “Haggai,” 591.

38. ENTER JESUS
Jesus began his public ministry to Israel with the so-called CLEANSING of the TEMPLE as reported in John 2:13-22.
Jesus ended his public ministry with another CLEANSING of the TEMPLE as outlined in Matthew 11:1-11,

39. ENTER JESUS
What did Jesus do on the 21st day of the 7th month which corresponds to the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Booths)?
John 7:1-10
John 7:37-46

40. SERMON TAKE-AWAY
Jesus is the MESSIANIC person of whom Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi wrote about in their prophesies.
The MESSIANIC ministry of Jesus is based in part on the writings of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.

41. LIVING LESSON
As God’s people living in uncertain times, we too need the Word of the Lord: “Yet now be strong…declares the LORD. Be strong…. Be strong…declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD…. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.” (2:4-5)