Four Questions:

• What is the historical context/background of this short letter?

• Who are the recipients?

• Why was Haggai written?

• How are the people of God to respond?

What is the historical context/background of this short letter?

Babylon to Post-Exilic Jerusalem

612 – Babylon overthrows Assyria and becomes the main world power

606 – Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem / Captives to Babylon

586 – Nebuchadnezzar squashes rebellion and destroys Temple of Solomon

538 – Medo-Persian alliance overthrows Babylon and allows all exiled captives to return to their homelands.

536 – About 50,000 Jews return to Jerusalem and start rebuilding the Temple

516 – Haggai/Zechariah – Temple construction restarted and completed.

The Immutability of God

“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” (Malachi 3:6)

Jesus Christ I the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

What caused the stoppage in the work?

1. Opposition from the people in the land.

2. Physical and economic hardship

3. Generational differences

4. Division in leadership

1) What is our primary PURPOSE?

• You are created by God and for God to love God and to serve God.

2) What is our primary TASK?

• To fulfill the Great Commission.

Main application:

Daily faithfulness; not long-term legacy.