1. Book of Haggai
Why Study?
2 Chapters
4 oracles

2. History
70 years captivity
God’s Promises
God’s Command

3. Zerubbabel returns to Jerusalem to build temple
Samaritans and size of foundation discourage (Ezra 3:12; 4:4-5, 24) / People are worldly (Zech 5:5-7)
15 Years pass with no work

4. Haggai sent by God (2nd year of Darius – Ezra 5:1-2)
Haggai’s first address to the people caused them to get back to work!
Four years later, the temple is complete (Ezra 1:1 compared to 3:8 and 6:15)
Haggai sent by God (2nd year of Darius – Ezra 5:1-2)

5. First Oracle (chapter 1)
God is not pleased
“Consider your ways”
A devastating drought
Go up to the mountain and build
A redirection of the people’s fear
The duty of the “messenger”
First Oracle (chapter 1)

6. Second Oracle – 3.5 weeks after work began (2:1-9)
The former vs the new temple
The Messenger encourages
“Be strong”
God is with you!

7. Third Oracle – 3 months after work began (2:10-19)
The people of God are unclean
Consider why food supply has not improved
God blesses the people

8. Fourth Oracle – Same day as the 3rd (2:20-23)
God’s promise to Zerubbabel

9. Concluding Applications
There is no valid excuse for not meeting one’s Christian responsibilities (Romans 1:20 and 2:1)
Spiritual sloth (Proverbs 6:6-11)
The chastening hand of God (Psalms 32:4-5 and Hebrews 12:5ff)
The Preacher’s duty in the church is to encourage (Haggai 1:13; 2:4-5) and to make people feel uncomfortable (Haggai 1:4, 9; 2:3, 14) so that they achieve the holiness of God (1 Peter 1:15-16).